Agility assessment in manufacturing companies

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 2081-2104
Author(s):  
Masoud Rahiminezhad Galankashi ◽  
Syed Ahmad Helmi ◽  
Abd. Rahman Abdul Rahim ◽  
Farimah Mokhatab Rafiei
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Important Indicator ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Strategy ◽  
Supply Chain Contracts ◽  
Agile Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Agility ◽  
Agility Assessment ◽  
Operational Activities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework to assess the agility of manufacturing companies. Design/methodology/approach Particularly, three supply chain logistic drivers (facility, transportation and inventory) along with three cross-functional drivers (information, sourcing and pricing) are selected as the main sets to classify all required activities of agility. In addition, supply chain contracts, as an important indicator of supply chain agility, is also considered to categorize the activities. These activities are ranked using an (AHP) and then categorized based on the major perspectives of agility. Finally, using a cycle view of supply chain, the developed activities are categorized as the major policies of supply chain’s echelons. Findings This study developed a framework to evaluate the agility of manufacturing companies. Operational activities of agile supply chain strategy (ASCS) in addition to supply chain contracts are determined and categorized with regard to supply chain drivers. Originality/value This study contributes to recognizing, ranking and classifying the operational activities of ASCS with regard to logistics and cross-functional drivers of supply chain. In addition, this study considers the supply chain contracts in conjunction with supply chain drivers. From the theoretic and methodological features, to the best of authors’ knowledge, this study contributes to offer new insights to this area as no similar research has been conducted before.

A systematic review of the literature on supply chain agility

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bharat Singh Patel ◽  
Murali Sambasivan
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Supply Chain Agility ◽  
Agility Assessment ◽  
Future Research Directions

Purpose The purpose of this study is to critically examine the scholarly articles associated Murali Sambasivan with the diverse aspects of supply chain agility (SCA). The review highlights research insights, existing gaps and future research directions that can help academicians and practitioners gain a comprehensive understanding of SCA. Design/methodology/approach The present study has adopted author co-citation analysis as the research methodology, with a view to thoroughly investigating the good-quality articles related to SCA that have been published over a period of 22 years (1999-2020). In this study, 126 research papers on SCA – featuring diverse aspects of agility – from various reputed journals have been examined, analysed and assimilated. Findings The salient findings of this research are, namely, agility is different from other similar concepts, such as flexibility, leanness, adaptability and resilience; of the 13 dimensions of agility discussed in the literature, the prominent ones are quickness, responsiveness, competency and flexibility; literature related to SCA can be categorised as related to modelling the enablers, agility assessment, agility implementation, leagility and agility maximisation. This research proposes a more practical definition and framework for SCA. The probable areas for future research are, namely, impediments to agility, effective approaches to agility assessment, cost-benefit trade-offs to be considered whilst implementing agility, empirical research to validate the framework and SCA in the domain of healthcare and disaster relief supply chains. Practical implications This paper provides substantial insights to practitioners who primarily focus on measuring and implementing agility in the supply chain. The findings of this study will help the supply chain manager gain a better idea about how to become competitive in today’s dynamic and turbulent business environment. Originality/value The originality of this study is in: comprehensively identifying the various issues related to SCA, such as related concepts, definitions, dimensions and different categories of studies covered in literature, proposing a new definition and framework for SCA and identifying potential areas for future research, to provide deeper insights into the subject and highlight areas for future research.

Providing an interpretive structural model of agile supply chain practices

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 661-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akbar Rahimi ◽  
Abbas Raad ◽  
Akbar Alem Tabriz ◽  
Alireza Motameni
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Organizational Structure ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Defense Industry ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Agile Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Agility ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Nowadays, the defense industry is considered a significant part of the manufacturing industries. Military products in the world have a high level of diversity, delivery speed and appropriative operational functionality. Therefore, various producing, high quality and high-speed delivery of military products are of great importance in enhancing Iran’s defensive power. Defense industries’ supply chain agility is a response to how to produce military products with these features. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to provide a model for the agile supply chain of defense industries to show the relationship between agile practices and their hierarchy. Design/methodology/approach First, the authors identify the most important supply chain agility practices by expert’s questionnaire. Then, using factor analysis, practices are categorized and validated based on structural equation modeling (SEM). SEM showed a meaningful relationship between agile supply chain practices. Finally, using interpretative structural modeling, a model is presented to show the logical relationships and hierarchy between these practices. Findings The results show that out of a total of 62 practices introduced in the previous research for the agile supply chain, 37 practices in the agility of the supply chain of defense industries are effective. The 4 new agility practices were identified in this research. These 41 practices were classified into 8 categories including supplier relationship, workshop level management, organizational structure improvement, human resource management, product designing, improve and integrate the process, application of information technology and customer relationship. Improvement of organizational structure was at the highest level of the model. Therefore, managers first should focus on it. Research limitations/implications Given the confidentiality of information in the defense industry, the distribution of questionnaires and their collection was one of the most important limitations. A variety of defense products in land, air and sea areas, and a large number of industries in each sector, forced the authors to select the only land area. Although the results of this research can be used in the air and sea areas, but cannot be said that the implementation of this study presented model will fully lead to the defense industries’ supply chain agility in air and sea sectors. Originality/value This is the first research on the supply chain agility of Iran’s defense industry that bridges the gap between theory and practice. The classification of 41 practices in the form of 8 measures and examining the relationship between them is a new and practical approach for understanding the relationships between different variables that affect supply chain agility. This study introduces four new agility practices including the use of new technology and equipment, human resource balance, the use of expert human resources, training and employee empowerment, which can be considered in many industries of developing or less developed countries. Considering the specific situation of defense industry supply chain in comparison with other industries, the results of this research can be used by other defense industries of similar countries.

Developing a model for an agile supply chain in pharmaceutical industry

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gholamhossein Mehralian ◽  
Forouzandeh Zarenezhad ◽  
Ali Rajabzadeh Ghatari
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Pharmaceutical Industry ◽  
Reference Model ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
Pharmaceutical Supply Chain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Agile Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Agility ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Multiple Attribute

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to develop a model for an agile supply chain in the pharmaceutical industry. In a continuous changing global competitive environment, an organization’s supply chain agility directly impacts its ability to produce and deliver novel products to its customers in a timely and cost-effective manner. While the beneficial effect of supply chain agility is generally appreciated, the literature addressing how a pharmaceutical company can achieve supply chain agility is limited. Design/methodology/approach – This paper analyzes the three parts of pharmaceutical supply chain including supply of active pharmaceutical ingredient, manufacturing and distribution based on the supply chain operations reference model to assess agile supply chains by using three diverse questionnaires. In addition, to prioritize critical factors, TOPSIS (technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution) algorithm as a common technique of multiple attribute decision-making (MADM) model has been used. Findings – Achieving supply chain agility is dependent on other capabilities; including flexibility, responsibility, competency and quickness. Findings reveal several factors identified as critical factors to being agile in each part of pharmaceutical supply chain. Research limitations/implications – This research was challenged with some limitations such as novelty of the subject in this environment, and the lake of data in this area is also another constraint. Originality/value – This is an initial and pioneering study to highlight the importance of agility concept in the pharmaceutical industry. The present study also provides a new aspect of supply chain management for such industry, and would be a good topic for further research. Finally, this study contributes to highlight and prioritize factors involved in this area.

Examining the synergistic effect of supply chain agility, adaptability and alignment: a complementarity perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 514-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javad Feizabadi ◽  
David M. Gligor ◽  
Somayeh Alibakhshi
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Strategy ◽  
International Firms ◽  
Pairwise Interactions ◽  
Supply Chain Agility ◽  
Actual Interaction ◽  
And Performance

Purpose Drawing on complementarity theory, this paper aims to examine the type and effect of interdependencies/interaction (i.e. complementarity or substitutability) between the supply chain capabilities of agility, adaptability and alignment. Design/methodology/approach A survey research design is adopted to collect primary and secondary data from 182 international firms. The complementarity (or substitutability) of three As (agile, adaptable and aligned) were analyzed in three-way and pairwise interactions; both, correlation and performance differences methods of testing the type of interactions among the system’s elements were used. Supply chain-centric and firm-centric performance metrics were used to examine the interaction types. Findings The study did not find empirical evidence of three-way complementarity between the three As. However, this paper did find evidence of complementarity in bivariate interactions for alignment and adaptability. Moreover, in the performance difference method, the study found a substitute relationship between all pairs of As. Practical implications The findings related to the substitutability between the three As offer managers guidance on how to allocate their limited resources to avoid unnecessary over-or under-investing in either one of the three As. Originality/value This study helps refine prior findings related to the three As by offering evidence that firms can still achieve their performance-related goals with reduced investment commitments by taking advantage of the substitutability relationship existent between these capabilities. That is, instead of concomitantly developing all three As as past studies have suggested, managers can use the findings to determine how to prioritize their resource allocation better. Furthermore, understanding the actual interaction among the supply chain variables generally provide insights for designing the supply chain, change management in the supply chain, developing supply chain strategy and adopting best practices in the supply chain.

Supply chain strategy, flexibility, and performance

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 399-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Awais Ahmad Tipu ◽  
Kamel A. Fantazy
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovative Strategy ◽  
Supply Chain Strategy ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
And Performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare the supply chain strategy, flexibility, and performance relationships in the context of SMEs in Canada and Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach – The research is based on a quantitative approach using a questionnaire survey from a total of 170 small and medium-sized Pakistani manufacturing companies. The current study draws upon the earlier work of Fantazy et al. (2009) for comparative purpose and employs path analysis technique. Findings – The results partially confirm the findings of previous study on Canadian SMEs with regard to the relationships among strategy, flexibility, and performance in the context of supply chain. The survey results revealed that SMEs in Pakistan adopt followers strategy in order to achieve financial and non-financial performance. Whereas in the previous study, Canadian SMEs adopted innovative strategy and customer-oriented strategy in order to enhance their performance. Originality/value – The literature did not reveal any study which attempted to compare supply chain strategy, flexibility, and performance of SMEs in developed and developing countries. The current study fills this important gap in the literature.

Assessment of hybrid Lean-Agile (Leagile) supply chain strategies

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 470-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masoud Rahiminezhad Galankashi ◽  
Syed Ahmad Helmi
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy Process ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Strategy ◽  
Operational Activities ◽  
Hierarchy Process ◽  
New Framework

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a new assessment tool for Leagility. Design/methodology/approach – This research was carried out to systematically propose the operational activities of Leagile supply chains (SCs) with regard to SC drivers. Particularly, SC logistic (facility, transportation and inventory) and cross-functional drivers (information, sourcing and pricing) were selected to classify all operational activities of Leagile SCs. Findings – This study proposed a new framework to evaluate the operational activities of Leagile SCs. Operational activities of Leagile supply chain strategy were determined and categorized with regard to SC drivers. These activities were ranked using an analytic hierarchy process and were then categorized using a cycle view of SC. Originality/value – This study contributed in proposing operational activities of Leagile SC based on its major drivers. The result of this study assist managers, scholars and practitioners to construct new Leagile SCs or assess their Leagility level.

The role of relationship integration in supply chain agility and flexibility development

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 1126-1157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sajad Fayezi ◽  
Maryam Zomorrodi
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Supply Chain Agility ◽  
Management Literature ◽  
Original Approach ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the supply chain management literature by presenting the Australian practitioners’ perception of the role of relationship integration in developing supply chain agility and flexibility. Design/methodology/approach – The research takes semi-structured, indepth interviews with ten operations and supply chain practitioners in the Australian manufacturing sector. A systematic qualitative data analysis approach grounded on cross-interview synthesis was used. Findings – Findings contributed into understanding of the manufacturing companies’ implementation of relationship integration with respect to decision trade-offs involved in contract design. Moreover, the findings revealed the significant perceived importance and impact of relationship integration on supply chain agility and flexibility development. This was, however, found to be a function of things such as upstream or downstream focus and organisational size. These findings were expressed in terms of seven propositions. Practical implications – Analysis of the interviews substantiates the criticality of informed allocation of resources to relationship-intensive activities and investments across the supply chain to develop agility and flexibility. International businesses can gain insights into Australian manufacturing businesses’ perception of relationship integration, which can be invaluable for strategic planning to develop agile and flexible supply chains with their Australian partners. Originality/value – This paper takes an original approach to present operations and supply chain practitioners’ perception of manufacturing businesses’ use of relationship integration for supply chain agility and flexibility development.

Developing model to analyze factors affecting firms’ agility and competitive capability

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 476-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waqar Ahmed ◽  
Arsalan Najmi ◽  
Yusra Mustafa ◽  
Asif Khan
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Service Industries ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Learning Orientation ◽  
Chain Flexibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Competitive Capabilities ◽  
Agile Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Agility

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate and explain the factors contributing to supply chain agility in service-oriented firms and therein to enhance competitive capabilities of the organization. The study has identified various variables from past studies that support firms in developing agile supply chain operations. Factors identified from prior studies are supply chain flexibility, supply chain visibility, supply chain responsiveness, supply chain speed and learning orientation, which were then empirically tested for further understanding.Design/methodology/approachUsing purposive sampling, a sample of 217 valid responses was gathered through structured questionnaire from supply chain practitioners working in various service industries of Pakistan. Partial least square-structural equation modeling was used for data analysis.FindingsThe results of the study show that learning orientation and flexibility of the service firm highly complement the goal of achieving agility in their operations. Speed and visibility also have a major impact on developing agile supply chain. Moreover, supply chain agility has a significantly positive impact on competitive capabilities.Originality/valueThis research is about investigating the operational agility of services sector, which is a one-off study especially in the context of developing and competitive market. This research will provide important insights into the context of dynamic capabilities view for policymakers and decision-makers who aim to develop their competitive strategies based on their operational agility.

Modelling supply chain agility enablers using ISM

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 200-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satyendra Kumar Sharma ◽  
Anil Bhat
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Winning Strategy ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Interpretive Structural Modeling ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Agile Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Agility

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present an approach to effective supply chain management by understanding the dynamics between various enablers of agile supply chain. Today’s business environment is characterized as a highly competitive, dynamic and volatile market. Agile supply chain is seen as the winning strategy to be adopted by manufacturers bracing themselves for dramatic performance enhancements to become national and international leaders. Design/methodology/approach – Using interpretive structural modeling the research presents a hierarchy-based model and the mutual relationships among the enablers of agile supply chain. Findings – The research shows that there exists a group of enablers having a high driving power and low dependence requiring maximum attention and of strategic importance, whereas another group consists of those variables which have high dependence and are the resultant actions. Practical implications – This classification provides a useful tool to supply chain managers to differentiate between independent and dependent variables and their mutual relationships which would help them to focus on those key variables that are most important for building cost-effective and agile supply chains. Originality/value – Presentation of enablers in a hierarchy and the classification into driver and dependent categories is unique effort in the area of agile supply chain management.

Supply chain agility assessment of an Indonesian humanitarian organization

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 629-652
Author(s):  
Rizal Afif Rasyidi ◽  
Ratih Dyah Kusumastuti
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
National Agency ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Humanitarian Organizations ◽  
Supply Chain Agility ◽  
Agility Assessment ◽  
Humanitarian Organization ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chain ◽  
Level 2 ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe article presents an evaluation of the supply chain agility of the Indonesian humanitarian organization Aksi Cepat Tanggap (ACT). It discusses the flexibility, responsiveness and effectiveness of ACT's supply chain.Design/methodology/approachThe supply chain agility metrics were assessed based on interviews with representatives from ACT and the National Agency for Disaster Management (Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana [BNPB]). Recommendations were made based on the assessment results.FindingsThe findings of this study indicated that ACT's supply chain agility maturity was at level 2 or repeatable. This meant that ACT's humanitarian supply chain (HSC) had demonstrated agility only on limited occasions. ACT's supply chain agility can be improved by enhancing the flexibility component.Practical implicationsThe study shows how to assess the supply chain agility of a humanitarian organization and identify the components/capabilities of agility that need improvement. The same assessment can be conducted by other humanitarian organizations to enhance their supply chain agility to improve their emergency response in the event of a disaster.Originality/valueThe study provides insights into the supply chain agility of a locally based humanitarian organization in an emerging country, which is rarely discussed in the literature.

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