Signal Organizations with wider geographic spread report higher geopolitical exposure

Summary

McKinsey's 2026 survey finds that organizations operating across a wider geographic area feel geopolitical risk more often than those with a narrower reach. Among the more spread-out organizations, 74 percent say they are affected at least to some extent, compared with 63 percent of the less spread-out group. To estimate geographic spread, the analysis used the presence of a shared-services center as a proxy. The report treats this as one side of a double-edged factor, since a diversified footprint can also shield companies from shocks. It also links wider spread to structural rigidity, noting that globally distributed operations are more likely to name rigid structures and processes as a major barrier. The takeaway is that global reach brings both resilience options and added complexity to manage.