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Article
Publication date: 26 March 2024

Rohit Kumar Singh and Sachin Modgil

The main aim of this study is to explore the relationship between information system flexibility and dynamic capabilities to build sustainable and net zero supply chains under the…

Abstract

Purpose

The main aim of this study is to explore the relationship between information system flexibility and dynamic capabilities to build sustainable and net zero supply chains under the influence of environmental dynamism.

Design/methodology/approach

We have formulated a self-administered survey, with 359 participants contributing responses. Prior to delving into foundational assumptions, such as homoscedasticity and normality, a nonresponse bias analysis was executed. The integrity of the data, in terms of reliability and construct validity, was gauged using confirmatory factor analysis. Subsequent regression outputs corroborated all the proposed assumptions, fortifying the extant scholarly literature.

Findings

The empirical findings of this research underscore a positive correlation between Information system flexibility, dynamic capabilities and a net zero supply chain, especially in the context of environmental dynamism. Data sourced from the cement manufacturing sector support these observations. We also found that environmental dynamism moderates the relationship between data analytics capability and sustainable supply chain flexibility but does not moderate the relationship between Resource flexibility and sustainable supply chain flexibility. Additionally, this research strengthens the foundational principles of the dynamic capability theory.

Originality/value

The conceptual framework elucidates the interplay between information system flexibility, dynamic capabilities, and sustainable supply chain flexibility, emphasizing their collective contribution towards achieving sustainable chain net zero, introducing environmental dynamics as a moderating variable that augments the scholarly discourse with a nuanced layer of analytical depth.

Article
Publication date: 14 March 2024

Waqar Ahmed, Arsalan Najmi and Sohail Majeed

This paper aims to provide a framework regarding Information Technology (IT) Flexibility in Supply Chain and its relationship with the benefits we could see from Enterprise…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a framework regarding Information Technology (IT) Flexibility in Supply Chain and its relationship with the benefits we could see from Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. Furthermore, this research explores the moderating effect of Process Integration Capability in the relationship between IT flexibility and ERP benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

This research model will help organizations get additional benefits from their ERP systems that incurred huge costs, time and multiple resources at their implementation. The technique used for analyzing data is structural equation modeling (SEM), and data is collected from 107 respondents through a questionnaire from Business and IT Professionals.

Findings

The study findings reveal a positive and significant relationship between IT flexibility and ERP systems benefits; moreover, results also confirmed that the organization's process integration capability significantly increased the benefits of ERP systems. The findings also highlight empirical evidence about the significance of the top-to-bottom approach investing in IT flexibility and the bottom-to-top approach during the implementation of IT systems for successful implementations.

Practical implications

This study has various implications for practitioners that help them successfully implement and long-term viability of their IT infrastructure.

Originality/value

This study's findings will help IT managers and strategists make effective decisions for creating IT flexibility in alignment with the strategic goals to realize the desired results expected from ERP systems and implementations of new IT systems.

Details

Journal of Systems and Information Technology, vol. 26 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1328-7265

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 March 2024

Chowdhury Jony Moin, Mohammad Iqbal, A.B.M. Abdul Malek, Mohammad Muhshin Aziz Khan and Rezwanul Haque

This research aims to investigate how manufacturing flexibility can address the challenges of an ever-changing and unpredictable business environment in Bangladesh’s…

91

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to investigate how manufacturing flexibility can address the challenges of an ever-changing and unpredictable business environment in Bangladesh’s labor-intensive ready-made garment (RMG) industry, which is underserved and situated in a developing country.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling, this study empirically evaluated the relationships between manufacturing flexibility, environmental uncertainty and firm performance. The analysis utilized 320 survey responses from potential RMG experts, representing 95 organizations.

Findings

The study achieved a decision-making model for implementing manufacturing flexibility in the RMG industry of Bangladesh with acceptable model fit criterion. The research pinpointed that workforce flexibility plays the maximum mediating among different types of manufacturing in coping with demand and supply uncertainty in the RMG sector.

Research limitations/implications

The study made valuable contributions to theoretical and practical knowledge in the context of manufacturing flexibility in Bangladesh’s RMG and other underserved labor-intensive sectors in developing economies. It suggests that managers should shift from defensive and risky business strategies to more aggressive and proactive approaches by utilizing workforce flexibility resources adaptively to enhance manufacturing capabilities and align with dynamic market demand. Additionally, the study offers recommendations for future research to build upon its findings.

Originality/value

This study is unique in its approach because it presents a decision model for implementing manufacturing flexibility in a labor-intensive industry in a developing economy, specifically the RMG industry in Bangladesh, whereas previous research has primarily focused on high-tech industries in developed economies.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 35 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1992

Nigel Slack and Henrique Correa

Examines two differing manufacturing operations and characterizestheir manufacturing planning and control (MPC) systems. The primaryconcern of this categorization analysis is to…

1026

Abstract

Examines two differing manufacturing operations and characterizes their manufacturing planning and control (MPC) systems. The primary concern of this categorization analysis is to examine the similarities and differences between the flexibilities inherent in each operation′s MPC system. One company has a system which is primarily a push‐based system, the other largely a pull‐based system. Examines different categories of flexibility in terms of both range flexibility (how far the system can cope with the change) and response flexibility (how fast the system can cope with change). The major conclusion is that pull‐based systems have flexibility characteristics which are characterized by relatively clearly thought‐out discontinuities in their range response curves.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1996

Peter L. Primrose

Although there is a vast body of literature that attempts to define production flexibility, managers are still unable to measure the flexibility they require. However, managers…

1301

Abstract

Although there is a vast body of literature that attempts to define production flexibility, managers are still unable to measure the flexibility they require. However, managers currently are investing in flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs) and planning their manufacturing strategies despite this. Discusses the flexibility and economic viability of FMSs, and concludes that managers do not need to measure the flexibility of an FMS in order to select the correct technical specification. Describes the factors that enable a company to achieve its strategic objectives and suggests that, although increasing flexibility is often quoted as a strategic objective, managers do not need to define or measure flexibility in manufacturing strategy planning. Flexibility just happens to be a convenient word that helps describe the fact that manufacturing facilities must be able to deal with change and uncertainty.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 16 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2015

Ghazal Farjami

Flexibility is known as an important term in the field of open buildings especially during modern era. Idea of flexibility has been one of the prominent implications in…

Abstract

Flexibility is known as an important term in the field of open buildings especially during modern era. Idea of flexibility has been one of the prominent implications in traditional Iranian architecture emerged in spatial organizations. Although, during modern period this quality of spaces has been mostly ignored some of the contemporary architects attempted to reconsider this characteristic in their projects. However, providing an interview with 7 pioneering contemporary Iranian architects and visiting their 25 residential projects it seems that flexibility has been reinterpreted in some of their projects. This research is an attempt for examining the idea of flexibility in 6 projects of 3 of these architects who were obsessed with this spatial term in their architectural works. Based on the architect’s words and analysis of their projects, and also looking for the roots of flexibility in traditional architecture, it can be asserted that there is an authentic emergence of flexibility in these projects. Examining these projects according to three main indicators of flexibility in modern architecture as structural systems, service organization and architectural layout, it is also tried to find their relation with traditional architecture. Being adapted with new lifestyles while ingrained in cultural and environmental issues of its context, idea of flexibility employed as an authentic characteristic of spatial configuration in some of the contemporary buildings in Iran.

Details

Open House International, vol. 40 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0168-2601

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 1998

Ravi Kathuria

This paper investigates managerial practices that are conducive to the management of flexibility. Using data from manufacturing plants in the USA, this paper identifies managerial…

1528

Abstract

This paper investigates managerial practices that are conducive to the management of flexibility. Using data from manufacturing plants in the USA, this paper identifies managerial practices that manufacturing managers strongly demonstrate in plants that place a high emphasis on flexibility. The results indicate that managers who pursue flexibility, emphatically engage in team building, employee empowerment, and other relationship oriented practices that generate enthusiasm among employees. These practices seemingly motivate workers to deal with the uncertainty and changes, in the form of product mix, customer delivery schedule, capacity adjustments, etc., that characterize manufacturing flexibility. Furthermore, workers are entrusted with the traditional responsibilities of manufacturing managers, such as monitoring and problem solving.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 98 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 May 2009

Niklas Israelsson and Bengt Hansson

Activity‐suited buildings create effective processes in a business. Building adaptation has a limited time perspective; suited premises need to change over time, in order to keep…

1719

Abstract

Purpose

Activity‐suited buildings create effective processes in a business. Building adaptation has a limited time perspective; suited premises need to change over time, in order to keep up with the processes in using a building. In an ideal situation, owners, clients and users, based on a demand for effortless adaptability, would be able to transform the building when it is needed. This puts high demand on the adaptability in a building, i.e. flexibility. The purpose of this paper is to provide other decision‐makers with a tool to validate information regarding flexibility.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper identifies “flexibility factors” and investigages how the factors are influencing the adaptability. In order to validate the importance of the factors, they are placed in order of precedence and processed using factor analysis.

Findings

From a municipal and socio‐economic viewpoint, there are advantages in more flexible buildings. To build and administer sites over the total building life can increase the flexibility of buildings and, used widely, should increase the opportunity to use the nation's property more effectively than from an ordinary viewpoint.

Originality/value

The results will be relevant for the whole construction sector.

Details

Structural Survey, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-080X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 February 2007

Graham Walton

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the concept of flexibility as it applies to libraries.

2358

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the concept of flexibility as it applies to libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

Specific cases are from the literature introduced where libraries have introduced aspects of flexibility. Lessons that can be learned from other sectors regarding flexibility are also presented.

Findings

There are three central themes for libraries to address when considering the various theories and research around flexibility: importance of management, human resources issues and the need to know the user. Flexibility has to be managed proactively as a concept in libraries.

Originality/value

The paper provides food for thought for library practitioners in the use of flexibility in an increasingly uncertain world.

Details

Library Management, vol. 28 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1995

David Stockton and Nicola Bateman

In order to ensure that the introduction of a flexiblemanufacturing system confers overall benefits to a company there is aneed to be able to measure quantitatively and then…

834

Abstract

In order to ensure that the introduction of a flexible manufacturing system confers overall benefits to a company there is a need to be able to measure quantitatively and then control flexibility levels. Initially identifies the various types and levels of flexibility that are important to a manufacturing concern. Identifies production range flexibility as that defining the universe of part types that a manufacturing system can process. Proposes a methodology that will enable probability measures to be established for each type of flexibility that contributes to the production range flexibility of a manufacturing system. In addition measuring flexibilities in terms of probabilities enables quantitative relationships to be established between levels of flexibility. Concludes that the result is an integrated system for measuring flexibility that can be used at both the strategic and operational planning and control levels.

Details

Integrated Manufacturing Systems, vol. 6 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-6061

Keywords

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