稀土元素 (REE) 具有獨特的特性，可用於生產先進的數位設備，因此對於半導體產業至關重要。然而，由於嚴重依賴REE，半導體產業遇到了巨大的障礙，特別是考慮到中國在其供應中佔據主導地位。這種依賴性造成了全球供應鏈的脆弱性，可能導致地緣政治緊張、政策轉變以及可能嚴重影響半導體製造和全球技術進步的額外幹擾。
為了應對這些威脅，半導體產業的製造商和主要參與者正在研究多種方法來提高供應鏈的韌性。其中包括稀土REE來源多樣化、開發回收技術以及分配時間和精力研究替代材料。然而，這些措施往往受到高資本成本、環境考量和有限的可行替代方案的限制。策略儲備雖然是臨時解決方案，但無法解決供應鏈的根本脆弱性，凸顯了長期創新和多元化的必要性。
本論文透過評估與稀土依賴相關的經濟、地緣政治和環境危害，有助於學術界對半導體產業供應鏈韌性的理解。這項研究提供了對目前和未來能夠減輕這些危害並提高全球半導體生產穩定性的方法的了解。可行的建議包括供應來源多元化、投資替代材料以及推進回收技術。

Rare earth elements (REEs) are essential to the semiconductor industry due to the distinct characteristics that enable the production of advanced digital devices. The semiconductor industry, however, encounters substantial obstacles due to its heavy reliance on REEs, particularly given China's dominant role in their supply. This dependency creates vulnerabilities in the global supply chain, holding the possibility of geopolitical tensions, policy shifts, along with additional disturbances that might severely impact semiconductor manufacturing and global technological progress.
As a reaction to these threats, manufacturers and key players in the semiconductor industry are investigating diverse approaches to improve supply chain resilience. These include diversifying sources of REEs, developing recycling technologies, and allocating time and effort towards studying alternative materials. However, these measures are often constrained by high capital costs, environmental considerations, and limited feasible alternatives. Strategic stockpiling, while a temporary solution, cannot address the fundamental delicacy of the supply chain, highlighting the necessity for long-term innovation and diversification.
This thesis contributes to the academic understanding of supply chain resilience in the semiconductor industry by assessing the economic, geopolitical, and environmental hazards linked with REE dependency. This research provides an understanding of the current and future approaches that have the ability to mitigate these hazards and improve the stability of global semiconductor production. Actionable recommendations include diversifying supply sources, investing in alternative materials, and advancing recycling technologies.

Academic Journals:
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