A template-based approach to measure supply chain flexibility: a case study of Indian soap manufacturing firm

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohit Kumar Singh ◽  
Padmanav Acharya ◽  
Sachin Modgil
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Manufacturing Firm ◽  
Chain Flexibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Flexibility ◽  
Soap Manufacturing ◽  
Indian Soap

Purpose The purpose of this study is to quantify the supply chain flexibility for an Indian soap manufacturing firm and to measure its performance. The authors made an attempt to find key strategic and operational decision-making dimensions for developing effective supply chain flexibility environment. Design/methodology/approach The authors have extracted 11 supply chain flexibility dimensions through extensive literature review. The authors used a decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) to make causal analysis and prioritizing the dimensions. After DEMATEL analysis three major supply chain flexibility dimensions that seem to have significant amount of influence on supply chain performance of the firms were retained for further consideration. The authors have developed an excel-based template for quantitative assessment of flexibility performance indicators. Findings This study provides key enablers for the successful implementation of flexibility concepts in Indian soap manufacturing firms and gives a view how to measure the performance through designing template based on real data. This template can be used in other firms also by simply modifying the key attributes. Originality/value A flexibility index has been defined here with the purpose of assessing the level of flexibility vis-a-vis what is desired and is meant to be evaluated from time to time, to assess if the firm is improving its flexibility or not. The index assumes importance in view of the fact that it has been prepared based on feedbacks of both the upper and the lower management people of the firm engaged in policymaking and operations.

Identification and causal assessment of supply chain flexibility

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 517-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohit Kr Singh ◽  
Sachin Modgil ◽  
Padmanav Acharya
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Demand Management ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Chain Flexibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Flexibility ◽  
Product Flexibility

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to map the causal relations among various supply chain flexibility (SCF) dimensions having significant impact on the Indian personal hygiene industry. Design/methodology/approach The author(s) have gone through extensive literature review and extracted 22 SCF dimensions. After conducting field visits and expert interaction in the firm related to case industry, 11 major SCF dimensions that seem to have a significant amount of influence on supply chain performance of the firms were retained for further consideration. The author(s) have used decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) to establish initial causality and structural equation model (SEM) to investigate the contribution of different flexibility dimensions on overall SCF. Findings After DEMATEL analysis, three major SCF dimensions were considered for SEM modeling. The result shows that product flexibility and physical distribution flexibility have favorable influence on the SCF, while the demand management flexibility adversely impacts overall SCF. Practical implications The approach adopted in the study can help firms to determine and exercise the flexibility dimensions of a particular supply chain. The DEMATEL and SEM offer a facilitation to explain the causal relationship between the different dimensions to take long-term decisions and address the uncertainty in the demand and supply side. Originality/value This paper has made an attempt to evaluate the supply chain flexibilities, prioritize them and evaluate the relationship amongst these flexibilities and the degree to which they affect or are affected by one another in the Indian personal hygiene industry.

The role of capabilities in shaping sustainable supply chain flexibility and enhancing circular economy-target performance: an empirical study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Surajit Bag ◽  
Muhammad Sabbir Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Data Analytics ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Chain Flexibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Supply Chain Flexibility ◽  
Target Performance ◽  
Analytics Capability

Purpose A circular economy is a popular approach considered by many firms to address sustainable development goals strategically. Literature indicates that collaborative relationships among supply chain partners facilitate circular economy practices. However, there is a dearth of studies in lower-middle-income countries indicating the unique challenges industries face whilst practising circular economy principles and how the challenges can be overcome. To address the calls of previous researchers, this study aims to explore the following relationships: engagement and alliance capability whilst data analytics capability plays a mediating role; the relationship between alliance and data analytics capability with sustainable supply chain flexibility whilst industry dynamism is considered as a moderating variable and the relationship between sustainable supply chain flexibility and circular economy-target performance. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey was performed and data was collected from 760 employees of Indian firms. Covariance-based structural equation modelling was applied to perform the path analysis to determine a firm’s capabilities in shaping sustainable supply chain flexibility and enhancing circular economy target performance. Findings Drawing upon dynamic capability theory, it was first established that engagement capability has a positive and significant influence on alliance capability, whilst data analytics capability played a partial mediating role. Second, it was established that alliance capability and data analytics capability significantly affect sustainable supply chain flexibility, whilst industry dynamism played a moderating role. Finally, it was clear that sustainable supply chain flexibility had a significant and positive effect on circular economy target performance, ultimately enhancing sustainability. Originality/value This study advances the circular economy literature by recommending that firms must consider some critical operational level capabilities to develop their dynamic capability, i.e. sustainable supply chain flexibility, to better meet the competitive market conditions in turbulent business environments.

scholarly journals Improving retail supply flexibility using buyer-supplier relational capabilities

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond Obayi ◽  
S.C. Koh ◽  
David Oglethorpe ◽  
Seyed M. Ebrahimi
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supplier Relationships ◽  
Chain Flexibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Supply Chain Flexibility ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Relational Capabilities ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediating role of three important relational capabilities – absorptive capacity (AC), transactive memory systems (TMS), and organisational interoperability (OI); on the flexibility of buyer-supplier relationships and performance in retail supply chains. Drawing on the relational view of strategic management, the impact of relational capabilities on two forms of supply chain flexibility is examined – configuration flexibility (CF) for switching suppliers with minimal penalties, and planning and control flexibility (PCF) for altering supply schedules, quality, and delivery lead-time. Design/methodology/approach Strategic- and tactical-level managers from 211 retail stores in the UK were surveyed. The authors validated a measurement model with structural equation modelling and tested four hypotheses on the mediating role of relational capabilities on supply chain flexibility and retail performance, controlling for size, duration of relationship, and market segment. Findings Results showed that the three relational capabilities partially mediated the positive effect of CF and PCF on operational performance in big middle and niche retailers. Examining the interaction effect of the forms of flexibility on the relational capabilities and performance, the authors found positive interaction effects on TMS and OI but a non-significant effect on AC. Practical implications In addition to providing novel theoretical insights on supply chain flexibility, the findings have practical implications for supplier selection and buyer-supplier relationship management. Originality/value Overall, the study highlights the impacts of relational capabilities on adopted operational strategies such as flexibility, buyer-supplier relationships, and retail performance.

Supply chain flexibility

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 964-1026 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorieke H.M. Manders ◽  
Marjolein C.J. Caniëls ◽  
Paul W.Th. Ghijsen
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Chain Flexibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Studies ◽  
Supply Chain Flexibility ◽  
State Of Research ◽  
Number Of Publications

Purpose The conceptualization of flexibility in organizations historically emerged from three views which relate to economic, to organizational and to manufacturing perspectives. Despite the growing number of publications about supply chain flexibility in the area of supply chain management, there is a lack of consensus on how to define and to conceptualize supply chain flexibility from a management point of view. The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive overview of the literature on the supply chain flexibility perspective and contributes to our understanding of the current state of research and its future development. Design/methodology/approach The research methodology used is the systematic literature review. In total 92 articles were selected from databases of well-known journal publishers in the field of economics, business studies and management sciences as well as grey literature to cover the topic of supply chain flexibility. Findings A limited number of studies in the field of supply chain flexibility apply theories and define the term supply chain flexibility. Instead they focus on a particular part or dimension of the supply chain. Based on the analysis, a distinction is made between flexibility in the supply chain and supply chain flexibility. Based on the function and characteristics of the supply chain, the authors selected 30 flexibility dimensions that cover supply chain flexibility by concentrating on the different business areas involved. Research limitations/implications The results support researchers and practitioners by identifying relevant trends and gaps in the field of supply chain flexibility. Originality/value The authors review the dimensions and aspects of supply chain flexibility that are currently taken into account in the literature. In this way, the authors provide an overarching perspective on the flexibility literature relating to supply chains.

Demand-supply balancing in manufacturing operations

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 564-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joakim Coker ◽  
Petri Helo
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Inventory Management ◽  
Demand Management ◽  
Chain Structure ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Chain Flexibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Manufacturing Operations ◽  
Supply Chain Flexibility ◽  
Supply Chain Structure

Purpose – Demand-supply balancing (DSB) strategies and approaches are becoming increasingly important for manufacturing and operations. The purpose of this paper is to analyze practices of manufacturing companies and how they balance demand/supply in operations. Design/methodology/approach – Questionnaire-based interview has been conducted at 20 largest companies having manufacturing/operations in Finland. Findings – Supply chain structure, flexibility, demand management, capacity management, inventory management and revenue management are perceived as key practices for DSB. Research limitations/implications – The results show importance of supply chain-related parameters such as supply chain flexibility and inventory management in addition to production planning and control. The study is delimited to Finland companies but it gives an idea how decision making in operations generally can be perceived. Practical implications – DSB actions should be connected to operations strategy and long-term planning of the company. Originality/value – DSB is a strategic-level operations question which has an impact on several functions of supply chain.

scholarly journals Supply chain flexibility in dynamic environments

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 636-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Araceli Rojo ◽  
Mark Stevenson ◽  
Francisco Javier Lloréns Montes ◽  
Maria Nieves Perez-Arostegui
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Dynamic Environments ◽  
Capabilities Approach ◽  
Structural Equations ◽  
Environmental Dynamism ◽  
Chain Flexibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Flexibility ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the relationship between environmental dynamism and supply chain flexibility (SCF) and to evaluate if two dynamic capabilities, i.e. operational absorptive capacity (OAC) and organisational learning (OL), are necessary competences for firms to develop such a responsive supply chain strategy as flexibility. Design/methodology/approach Hypothesised relationships are tested with survey data from 302 Spanish manufacturing firms using structural equations modelling. Findings Environmental dynamism is positively associated with both OAC and OL, and both dynamic capabilities enable SCF. The authors also find that the relationship between environmental dynamism and SCF is partially mediated by both dynamic capabilities. Research limitations/implications The study contributes to the literature, for example, by determining when it is advantageous to develop SCF, by specifying what capabilities a firm needs to develop to align SCF with the environment, and by opening the black box that is the relationship between the environment and SCF. Practical implications Managers should develop SCF via OAC and OL when they detect a high degree of environmental dynamism. Knowing when this is necessary relies on a good understanding of the environment. OAC is found to be a stronger enabler of SCF than OL. The findings provide managers with an insight into why some firms are able to develop more effective responses to dynamic environments than others. Originality/value This study is one of only a limited number of studies that adopt a dynamic capabilities approach to supply chain management. Prior literature has shown that dynamic capabilities can aid in developing strategic, structural, and operational flexibility. The authors extend this literature by showing that OAC and OL have an effect on SCF.

Mediating role of process simplification in process integration and upstream supply chain flexibility

2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 825-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaurav Goyal ◽  
Harsh Vardhan Samalia ◽  
Piyush Verma
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Process Integration ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Chain Flexibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Supply Chain Flexibility ◽  
Management Commitment ◽  
Top Management Commitment

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediating role of process simplification on the relationship between process integration and upstream supply chain flexibility in Indian automotive organizations.Design/methodology/approachThe three-step mediation analysis was performed using SPSS macro PROCESS to assess the mediating role of process simplification on the relationship between process integration constructs: top management commitment and supplier relationship; and upstream supply chain flexibility.FindingsThe results indicate a complete mediation effect of process simplification between supplier relationship and upstream supply chain flexibility, while partial mediation effect is noticed between top management commitment and upstream supply chain flexibility.Practical implicationsFor Indian automotive managers, the study suggests that for improving the upstream supply chain flexibility, organizations must have a strategy towards improving the simplification of supply chain processes by upgrading technology and providing training to their suppliers. This understanding will help the automotive managers to simplify their upstream supply chain processes for gaining competitive positioning and maximizing the organizational profit.Originality/valueThis study has considered the mediating role of process simplification (a relatively less studied variable) specifically in the context of its impact on upstream supply chain flexibility. Also, the presented study explores this role in the Indian automotive domain which further enhances its value for both practitioners and researchers alike.

Prioritising dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation for supply chain flexibility development in an uncertain environment

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 483-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruchi Mishra ◽  
Onkar Nath Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽  
Analytical Approach ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Chain Flexibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Case Study Analysis ◽  
Supply Chain Flexibility ◽  
Innovative Culture

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the underlying relationships between entrepreneurial orientation and supply chain flexibility (SCF) in a market characterised by several uncertainties. Design/methodology/approach The study applies an explanatory sequential mixed method, in which an analytical approach is proposed and validated to establish the underlying relationships between environmental uncertainties, SCF, and entrepreneurial orientation. Thereafter, a focus group study is carried out to explain the findings of a case study analysis. Findings The study evaluates and prioritises dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation to develop SCF in a market characterised by several environmental uncertainties. It also develops a structured, effective, and flexible methodological approach to establish the relationships between environmental uncertainty, SCF, and entrepreneurial orientation. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to a single firm; therefore, the use of larger sample size can improve its generalisability. Practical implications Supply chain practitioners should emphasise on innovative culture to support SCF. The study also proposes an analytical approach to improve flexibility in the supply chain. Originality/value The study contributes to the area of interdisciplinary research by developing an integrated analytical approach that identifies and brings together concepts that existed in the disparate form in supply chain, flexibility, and entrepreneurship literature.

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