Supply Chain Risk Identification and Resilience Building for Lithium-Ion Battery Firms: A Resource Dependence Perspective

Abstract

Against the backdrop of the global energy transition, lithium has become a critical raw material for lithium-ion batteries. With soaring demand, the supply landscape is facing significant adjustment. This paper applies the EVE Energy lithium supply chain as the study object. The dependence-risk-strategy framework is constructed based on Resource Dependence Theory and Supply Chain Risk Management Theory to systematically identify the core risks in the EVE energy lithium supply chain. The findings indicate that EVE Energy needs to address the triple threat of geopolitical tensions, price volatility, and supplier concentration. It is highly dependent on external sources; the raw material costs make up 81.99% of total costs. Procurement amount from the top five suppliers accounts for 35.00% of annual procurement. The global lithium trade network structure presents a duality of robustness and vulnerability; the disruptions at a few core nodes will spread rapidly across the entire value chain. The midstream of the Chinese lithium supply chain is the main net exporter of risk. To address this, the paper proposes a risk response strategy that combines diversification of procurement channels, strategic reserves, and hedging.