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.

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.

Supply chain integration and its impact on supply chain agility and organizational flexibility in manufacturing firms

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Azwan Ahmad Shukor ◽  
Md. Shah Newaz ◽  
Muhammad Khalilur Rahman ◽  
Azni Zarina Taha
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Environmental Uncertainty ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Organizational Ambidexterity ◽  
Organizational Flexibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Agility

PurposeThis study investigates the impact of environmental uncertainty and organizational ambidexterity on supply chain integration and its relationship between supply chain agility and organizational flexibility in the manufacturing firms.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected from 526 managers in services and manufacturing industry in Kuala Lumpur. The partial least square (SmartPLS 3.0) tool was applied through the use of the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique.FindingsThe results revealed that a strong relationship exist between environmental uncertainty and supply chain integrations including customer, supplier and internal integration. Organizational ambidexterity has a significant relationship with supply chain integration. Supply chain integrations were shown to have a positive impact on the firm's supply chain agility and organizational flexibility.Originality/valueThe findings may assist to establish a set of key drivers for enhancing supply chain agility and organizational flexibility as a supply chain management initiative in the manufacturing and service industry.

Exploring integrated supply chain performance in healthcare: a service provider perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shefali Srivastava ◽  
Rohit Kr Singh
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Supply Chain Performance ◽  
Chain Flexibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Antecedents And Consequences ◽  
Integrated Supply Chain

PurposeThe paper identifies the antecedents and consequences of integrated supply chain performance (ISCP) in healthcare systems.Design/methodology/approachBased on a review of the literature constructs of supply chain flexibility (SCF), employee relationships (ERs), organizational orientation (OO) and knowledge exchange (KE) were identified as antecedents of ISCP, and patient centricity (PC) emerged as its consequence. This structural relationship was tested using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsERs, SCF, OO and KE positively impacted the performance of an integrated healthcare supply chain. Furthermore, enhanced ISCP in operational processes of the hospital positively influenced patient centeredness and care quality.Research limitations/implicationsPaper contributes by identifying antecedents and consequences of ISCP. Future researchers may explore the inter-relationships among the antecedents of ISCP.Practical implicationsInsights from this study will help practitioners in enhancing hospital operations by integrating processes along the healthcare service supply chain and developing a patient-centric approach.Social implicationsThis paper highlights how PC may be achieved by focusing on a facilitative internal environment. This understanding may help in designing processes that deliver health as a social good in an effective manner.Originality/valueThe empirical evidence from this study can help hospitals integrate their functions, thus, enabling them to deliver quality care.

An integrated model of supply chain resilience and its impact on supply chain performance under disruption

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shih-Jung Juan ◽  
Eldon Y. Li ◽  
Wei-Hsi Hung
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Resilience ◽  
Structured Equation Modeling ◽  
Logistic Issue

PurposeThis study aims to explore the relationships among the five components of supply chain (SC) resilience (SCRES): visibility, velocity, flexibility, robustness and collaboration and their impacts on the SC performance under disruption (SCPUD).Design/methodology/approachFive SCRES components are identified from the literature review and data are collected using an web survey from 113 manufacturing companies in Taiwan. The data are analyzed by structured equation modeling with the partial least square solution. Two-stage least-squares (2SLS) regression was used to test the potential endogeneity of SC collaboration (SCC).FindingsThe results reveal that SCC is an exogenous driver of SCRES; it directly affects visibility, velocity, flexibility, robustness and SCPUD. Furthermore, SC flexibility is the only component of SC agility that directly affects SCPUD; it is influenced directly by SC velocity and indirectly by SC visibility through SC velocity. SC visibility is a vital agility component that positively influences SC velocity and SC robustness.Research limitations/implicationsThe data in this study are cross-sectional and the sample size of 113 is relatively small. The relationship between SC robustness and SCPUD needs a longer observation period to reveal. The logistic issue in the shortage of carriers caused by the pandemic has been overlooked.Practical implicationsA firm should enhance its collaboration and flexibility in the SC as they both are the critical antecedents of SC performance (SCP) during the disruption period.Originality/valueThis study integrates visibility, velocity, flexibility, robustness and collaboration into a complete framework of SCRES. The dependent variable, SCPUD, measures SC performance (SCP) under the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the first study to investigate the associations of the six constructs in a research model.

scholarly journals Understanding supply chain analytics capabilities and agility for data-rich environments

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (6/7/8) ◽  
pp. 887-912 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Fosso Wamba ◽  
Shahriar Akter
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Agility ◽  
The Usa

Purpose Big data-driven supply chain analytics capability (SCAC) is now emerging as the next frontier of supply chain transformation. Yet, very few studies have been directed to identify its dimensions, subdimensions and model their holistic impact on supply chain agility (SCAG) and firm performance (FPER). Therefore, to fill this gap, the purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a dynamic SCAC model and assess both its direct and indirect impact on FPER using analytics-driven SCAG as a mediator. Design/methodology/approach The study draws on the emerging literature on big data, the resource-based view and the dynamic capability theory to develop a multi-dimensional, hierarchical SCAC model. Then, the model is tested using data collected from supply chain analytics professionals, managers and mid-level manager in the USA. The study uses the partial least squares-based structural equation modeling to prove the research model. Findings The findings of the study identify supply chain management (i.e. planning, investment, coordination and control), supply chain technology (i.e. connectivity, compatibility and modularity) and supply chain talent (i.e. technology management knowledge, technical knowledge, relational knowledge and business knowledge) as the significant antecedents of a dynamic SCAC model. The study also identifies analytics-driven SCAG as the significant mediator between overall SCAC and FPER. Based on these key findings, the paper discusses their implications for theory, methods and practice. Finally, limitations and future research directions are presented. Originality/value The study fills an important gap in supply chain management research by estimating the significance of various dimensions and subdimensions of a dynamic SCAC model and their overall effects on SCAG and FPER.

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.

Exploring the relationship between ICT, SCM practices and organizational performance in agri-food supply chain

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 1003-1041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anil Kumar ◽  
Rohit Kr Singh ◽  
Sachin Modgil
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Food Supply Chain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis paper presents the concerns in agri-food supply chain. Further the research investigates the role of information and communication technology (ICT) in agri-food supply chain and determines the impact of supply chain management (SCM) practices on firm performance.Design/methodology/approachThe theoretical framework was proposed for the study on the basis of existing literature. Data for the study was collected with the help of structured questionnaire from 121 executives and officers of the public food distribution agency. Partial least square (PLS)–structured equation modeling was employed to test the framework and hypotheses.FindingsThe results indicate that ICT and SCM practices (logistics integration and supplier relationships) have a significant relationship. Furthermore, SCM practices (information sharing, supplier relationship and logistics integration) have a significant and positive impact on performance of the organization.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research could be carried out to test the moderation effect of SCM practices between ICT and organizational performance (OP). Extending the research study to the companies operating in other sectors can enhance the external validity of the study and improve the accuracy of parameters examined.Practical implicationsThis study can be of interest to the agri-food industry as well as other industry practitioners interested in improving the performance of the organization from the view of supply chain.Originality/valueThe outcomes of this study have important implications that translate into a series of recommendations for the management of public food distribution as well as other agri-food-based supply chains.

Enabling supply chain agility through process integration and supply flexibility

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 519-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Irfan ◽  
Mingzheng Wang ◽  
Naeem Akhtar
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Process Integration ◽  
Global Market ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Product Complexity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Agility ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Supply Flexibility

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the underlying mechanism through which firms can achieve supply chain agility and augment business performance from the vendor’s perspective. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on dynamic capability view and contingency theory, the study conceptualizes a moderated mediation model to investigate the underlying influence of process integration (PI), supply flexibility and product-related complexity on supply chain agility and the subsequent effect of supply chain agility on firm’s business performance. Survey data from a sample of 148 firms, in the garment manufacturing industry, in Pakistan were analyzed using partial least square methods. Findings The results revealed that supply flexibility (i.e. volume and mix) mediates the effect of PI on supply chain agility. Supply chain agility, in turn, influences a firm’s business performance. Furthermore, the competence‒capability framework is not consistent across the varying degrees of product complexity such as product complexity hinders the effect of supply flexibility on supply chain agility, whereas it amplifies the impact of PI on supply chain agility. The conditional indirect effects suggest that the indirect effect of PI on supply chain agility through supply flexibility becomes stronger when product complexity is high. Originality/value The study is novel in the context of an emerging economy to educate fashion vendors to tune their competencies and capabilities to regain the market share in the global market place.

Environmental uncertainty and supply chain performance: the effect of agility

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Anthony Inman ◽  
Kenneth W. Green
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Environmental Uncertainty ◽  
Agile Manufacturing ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Alternative View ◽  
Supply Chain Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Agility ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeToday's businesses are facing a world that is more complex, turbulent and unpredictable than in the past with increasing levels of environmental complexity. Rather than proposing environmental uncertainty as a mediator/moderator of the relationship between agility and performance as others have done, the authors offer an alternative view where supply chain agility is seen as mediating the relationship between environmental uncertainty and supply chain performance.Design/methodology/approachThe authors propose that supply chain agility is a response to the effects of environmental uncertainty and, as such, environmental uncertainty should be seen as a driver of supply chain agility. Few studies test the direct relationship between uncertainty and supply chain performance, and none simultaneously test for agility's mediation and moderation effect between environmental uncertainty and agility.FindingsThe model was statistically assessed using partial-least-squares structural equation modeling (PLS/SEM) by analyzing survey data from manufacturing managers in 136 US firms. The study results did not indicate a significant relationship between environmental uncertainty and supply chain performance. However, the authors did find a significant positive relationship between agile manufacturing and supply chain performance using measures that were primarily operations-centered rather than financial. Additionally, the authors found that agile manufacturing fully mediates the relationship between environmental uncertainty and supply chain performance.Originality/valueThe authors’ model, though simple, provides a base for future research for them and other researchers who can incorporate other impacting variables into the model. The study results show that uncertainty can be a force for good and that utilizing agile manufacturing can be a new source of opportunity.

Risk-agility interactive model: a new look at agility drivers

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 690-711
Author(s):  
Seyed Mahmoud Zanjirchi ◽  
Negar Jalilian ◽  
Ali Mirhoseini
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Supply Chain Risk ◽  
Organizational Agility ◽  
Interpretive Structural Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Agility

Purpose According to the definitions presented for agility drivers, it can be mentioned that supply chain risk factors in terms of feature have very close roles to agility drivers and both of these factors impact the uncertainty in the environment. However, the risk factors with a wider domain are more comprehensive. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of risk as a driver on the organizational agility. Design/methodology/approach To conduct the research, after identification of influential risk factors of supply chain and indicators of organizational agility, questionnaires needed for the research were designed and after confirming their validity and reliability were distributed among the member of the sample. To assess the relationship between supply chain risk and the amount of organizational agility, data obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed using structural equation modeling technique. Findings The results of data analysis showed that supply chain risk factors could be considered as a driver affecting the organizational agility. In addition, in this study, supply chain risk factors were ranked using interpretive structural modeling. The presented comprehensive model indicated that based on causal relationships between risk factors, sovereign risk as the basis for model (three levels) and product and customer satisfaction risks as the output of the model (Level 1) were considered. Originality/value This paper fulfills an identified need to study how the risk factors as drivers of supply chain agility can have effect on agility.

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