Addressing CRMs scarcity: a Delphi study for risk mitigation in Italian strategic supply chains

The growing scarcity of critical raw materials (CRMs) presents significant challenges for global supply chains, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, environmental regulations, and rising demand for green technologies. This study investigates how companies perceive and manage CRM-related risks, adopting a multi-step empirical design that integrates multiple case studies, expert focus groups, and a two-round Delphi survey, followed by a validation focus group. The research identifies the most pressing criticalities expected in the next five years and evaluates the effectiveness of mitigation strategies and the barriers that hinder their implementation. Sustainability requirements are perceived as a double-edged factor, often improving long-term resilience but simultaneously increasing short-term criticalities. The findings underscore the need to shift from static to adaptive and transformative views of CRM supply chains, offering guidance for managers on how to strengthen resilience and reduce dependencies.