Risk Classification as a Foundation for Managerial Decision-Making in Industrial Business Structures

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to systematize and critically reassess contemporary scientific approaches to risk classification in business structures, identify limitations of existing models, and justify the need for a new integrative risk classification that addresses the increased complexity of organizational forms and the multi-level nature of risk factors in a dynamic business environment. The relevance of the topic is determined by the insufficient development of current risk management models, which typically fail to consider the complexity of interactions between systemic and local risks and their impact on the resilience of business structures amid instability, turbulence, and uncertainty of external and internal environments. This creates the necessity for universal, multi-level, and adaptive approaches to risk classification and management. The research methods are based on a systems approach, comparative analysis, structuring, and generalization of classification features of risks, allowing differentiation of risks by source, scale of impact, level of controllability, and manageability. An integrative approach is proposed, dividing risks into systemic (macro- and meso-level) and local (non-systemic) categories, alongside the use of innovative models — the “risk pyramid” and the “risk systemness matrix” — to effectively prioritize managerial decisions and develop response strategies. The study results show that systemic risks are multifactorial, cover a wide range of scales, and require strategic management methods such as hedging, reserving, long-term planning, and business model adaptation. Local risks have a more limited impact and are subject to operational control. The proposed classification enhances the efficiency of threat hierarchy, improves management decisions, and fosters the development of adaptive strategies that respond to current market challenges. The practical significance of the work lies in the implementation of the developed risk classification and models into industrial enterprises’ risk management systems, which will increase their resilience, flexibility, and competitiveness in a volatile and unpredictable business environment, contributing to sustainable development and the preservation of key market positions.