Regulatory risk ranked top threat to performance.

• Author: Heffes, Ellen M.
• Position: RISK MANAGEMENT

Despite an easing of stress stemming from the financial crisis, organizations still face recurring and new threats, notes the third annual Ernst &Young Business Risk report. "The majority of the risks identified fall into four distinct quadrants: Financial, compliance, strategic and operational risks," says Gerry Dixon, Global Risk Leader for E&Y.

The survey, comprising interviews with more than 70 executives and analysts across 14 industrial sectors, reveals the most important business risks varied dramatically across sectors, regions and companies.

Regulation and compliance regained the top spot across the majority of sectors, due to general uncertainty in the marketplace driven by regulatory reform. Limited access to credit and the threat of continuing weak economic performance in certain regions of the world...