Sourcemap Named in Peer-Reviewed Research on Tariff Uncertainty and SME Supply Chains

As tariff volatility reaches historic levels, academic researchers are turning to supply chain mapping as a frontline defense — and Sourcemap is part of that conversation.

A newly published study in the Journal of Small Business Strategy — "The Impact of Tariffs and Trade Policy Uncertainty on SME Supply Chains" (LeMay & McMahon, 2026) — examines how trade policy uncertainty (TPU) has become as damaging to businesses as tariffs themselves. The paper finds that SMEs, which represent 97% of all U.S. importing firms, are disproportionately exposed: they hold fewer than half the cash reserves of large corporations, face supplier adjustment timelines of 6–24 months, and experience a 40% higher rate of credit access challenges when tariffs spike.

Amid this landscape, the authors identify supply chain visibility as one of the four core capabilities companies need to survive trade disruptions — alongside flexibility, velocity, and collaboration. Sourcemap is cited directly as a platform enabling companies to "visualize their exposure to tariff-affected regions" through supply chain mapping and risk monitoring.

The timing couldn't be more relevant. The TPU index — a measure tracked since 1960 — shattered its previous records in 2025 by a factor of three to five. In that environment, companies that can see their supply chains have a decisive advantage over those flying blind. Knowing where your suppliers are, what countries they source from, and how tariff changes ripple through your upstream tiers isn't a nice-to-have — it's the foundation of any credible tariff response strategy.

Sourcemap was built for exactly this moment. Our supply chain mapping platform gives procurement, compliance, and risk teams the geographic and supplier-level visibility they need to identify exposure, model alternative sourcing scenarios, and act before disruptions become crises.

Original Research Paper: The Impact of Tariffs and Trade Policy Uncertainty on SME Supply Chains

EY x Sourcemap on Traceability for Rule-of-Origin Tariffs

This video features a panel discussion between Sourcemap leadership and Ernst & Young experts regarding the future of tariff management and the necessity of real-time supply chain mapping for modern businesses.