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Article
Publication date: 2 September 2014

David M. Gligor

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of demand management in achieving supply chain agility (SCA) through a multi-disciplinary review of the relevant research. The…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of demand management in achieving supply chain agility (SCA) through a multi-disciplinary review of the relevant research. The systematic literature review provides the basis for formulating a conceptual framework of the relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic, comprehensive review of the literature on manufacturing, marketing organizational and SCA from 1991 through 2013 was conducted. The literature on demand management is also examined to identify the various elements that contribute to SCA.

Findings

Most agility frameworks take a supply-side perspective and assume that demand is known. Those that do acknowledge the role of demand fall short of offering a holistic framework that acknowledges the role of both. This paper suggests that it is simply not enough to have flexible manufacturing, distribution and procurement systems to achieve SCA. Flexibility in managing demand is also needed. Furthermore, it is the premise of this paper that demand and supply integration (DSI) inside the firm is critical to achieving SCA.

Research limitations/implications

This research is a systematic, integrative review of the existing literature on the concept of agility. As such, the next phase of research needed for theory building will be the operationalization of constructs and testing of the hypothesized relationships proposed by the conceptual framework.

Practical implications

The paper has several managerial implications as well. It illustrates how firms can create and sustain competitive advantages in turbulent environments. Managers can use the framework developed here to assess what structures and decision-making processes they can use to increase the firm’s SCA. Practitioners can use this model as a checklist to identify candidate areas for improving agility. The section illustrating the use of knowledge management to increase DSI should be of particular interest to managers, considering that a great deal of firms experience a disconnect between demand creation and supply fulfillment.

Originality/value

Through a systematic, comprehensive review of multi-disciplinary literature, the paper explores the role of demand management in achieving SCA.

Details

Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, vol. 19 no. 5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-8546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 April 2023

Tarek Salama and Hisham Said

The purpose of this paper is to determine if companies in the modular and offsite construction (MOC) industry are agile or not and its level of application for agility principles…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine if companies in the modular and offsite construction (MOC) industry are agile or not and its level of application for agility principles, which allows for quick responses to the increasingly dynamic nature of industry environments.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes an agility assessment framework for MOC that uses 48 assessment attributes organized into four categories: metrics, drivers, enablers and capabilities. A questionnaire approach was used to disseminate the framework globally in 19 countries and synthesize its relevance to the MOC industry. The questionnaire had 55 complete responses, majority of respondents work in managerial positions for MOC manufacturing facilities and onsite general contractors.

Findings

It was found that the lowest metric score for adapting to change was for cost since controlling cost would be difficult for any changes required after the design freeze stage. The top agility driver was found to be the need to respond to the wide variety of customer expectations, while the lowest driver was the existence of competing priorities. The top agility enabler was vendor partnership, which can be related to current postpandemic supply chain disruptions. Regarding technological capabilities, Europe and the USA acquired better scores compared to Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the MOC body of knowledge by creating an agility assessment tool for MOC firms to analyze their agile approach and environment, identifying the preliminary importance of agility assessment attributes and determining significant agile differences between the main MOC industry groups.

Details

Construction Innovation , vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 2006

Patricia M. Swafford, Soumen Ghosh and Nagesh N. Murthy

To gain understanding of value chain (VC) agility in terms of value‐adding processes, this paper seeks to present a VC agility framework and then to develop the involved…

7798

Abstract

Purpose

To gain understanding of value chain (VC) agility in terms of value‐adding processes, this paper seeks to present a VC agility framework and then to develop the involved constructs.

Design/methodology/approach

A framework of VC agility and its theoretical underpinnings is presented. Within the framework, drivers and determinants of VC agility are identified as characteristics enabling flexibility within key components of a firm's VC. Also, it is posited that information technology (IT) capability impacts the levels of achieved flexibility and agility, and that VC agility impacts business performance.

Findings

From scale development, key determinants of flexibility within VC activities are identified. Correlation analysis suggests that firms derive higher levels of agility through integrating information across the VC rather than within VC activities. Firms with flexibility in their VC functions enjoy higher levels of ensuing VC agility and on‐time delivery, ROA, and market share.

Research limitations/implications

While the sample size is adequate for scale development, it is not adequate for structural equation modeling since the guideline is to have at least five survey responses for every item measure. Thus, insights were gleaned from initial analysis based on correlations.

Practical implications

Managerial insights concerning key value‐adding activities that build flexibility and ultimately agility are identified.

Originality/value

To the best of one's knowledge, this work is the first to operationalize VC agility from the perspective that agility is derived from flexibility in the VC processes and is enabled by IT integration. From exploratory research, insights are gained on how VC agility links with business performance.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 26 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 November 2008

Xun Li, Chen Chung, Thomas J. Goldsby and Clyde W. Holsapple

The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical model of supply chain agility and, based on that, develop a research framework for investigating linkages between supply…

5246

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical model of supply chain agility and, based on that, develop a research framework for investigating linkages between supply chain agility and firm competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual model of supply chain agility introduced here is based on an inter‐disciplinary literature review, which concentrates on peer‐reviewed journal papers on agility published within the period 1990‐2007. Among a total of 583 papers, representative studies are chosen and analyzed to identify key elements of supply chain agility, and to point out issues that have yet to be addressed.

Findings

He was found that even though there has been considerable research on the topic of agility, in general, there is relatively little examination of agility in the supply chain context. These few studies are not unified in their conceptualizations of agility and tend to adopt fairly limited views of supply chain dimensionality. This situation suggests that there is a need for a theory‐driven, unified model of agility in supply chains.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need for a comprehensive conceptual model of supply chain agility. Built from a work‐design perspective, this new conceptualization of supply chain agility offers a theoretical platform for guiding future research and practice concerned with achieving supply chain agility.

Details

The International Journal of Logistics Management, vol. 19 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-4093

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 February 2024

Jyoti Motwani and Aakanksha Katatria

The purpose of this literature review paper is to explore the concept of organization agility and its relevance in today's dynamic business environment. By conducting an in-depth…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this literature review paper is to explore the concept of organization agility and its relevance in today's dynamic business environment. By conducting an in-depth review of existing academic and industry literature on organization agility, this study aims to identify the key factors that influence an organization's agility and the benefits and drawbacks associated with fostering agility.

Design/methodology/approach

Through the technique of bibliometric analysis, we provide the growth trajectory of the field by identifying the publication trends, prominent authors and countries and most prolific journal publishing in the concerned domain. We also provide the intellectual structure of the organization agility research by identifying the prominent themes that have been worked upon till date. In addition, with the backing of the theories, contexts, characteristics and methodology (TCCM) framework, we identify the most frequently applied theories, constructs and methods in organization agility research and provide new avenues for future research by analyzing the most frequently used theories, methods, constructs and research contexts.

Findings

With the ever-increasing ambiguity and need for change (why), organization agility serves as the organization's backbone. It acts as a springboard for the organization, an anchor point that remains constant while other functional aspects constantly fluctuate and change. Organization agility can be defined (what) as the ability of organizations to quickly respond to market needs by sensing, renewing, adapting and succeeding in a turbulent market. To summarize, organizational agility matters at three fundamental aspects (where): strategic level or the market capitalizing level, internal operational level and individual level.

Originality/value

This paper is unique in the sense that it is the first comprehensive literature review in the field of organization agility research to use a hybrid methodology (bibliometric review with TCCMs).

Details

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 August 2019

Dave Ulrich and Arthur Yeung

The purpose of this paper is to offer an integrated framework for understanding agility. Agility has become an increasingly important capability in today’s changing business…

2969

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer an integrated framework for understanding agility. Agility has become an increasingly important capability in today’s changing business world. In this paper, the authors suggest “3, 4’s” to better define agility. Agility can be defined through four dimensions (create the future, anticipate opportunity, adapt quickly and learn always); agility occurs with four stakeholders (strategy, organization, leader and individual); and agility is sustained through four Human Resource (HR) tools (people, performance, information and work).

Design/methodology/approach

Using this integrated framework, executives can better define, assess and invest in creating agility as a capability.

Findings

The authors studied leading Chinese and US high-tech organizations to discover how they respond to changing market conditions.

Originality/value

The research for this agility framework is described in their book, Reinventing the Organization: How Companies Can Deliver Radically Greater Value in Fast-Changing Markets.

Details

Strategic HR Review, vol. 18 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1475-4398

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 9 March 2023

Katja Hutter, Ferry-Michael Brendgens, Sebastian Peter Gauster and Kurt Matzler

This paper aims to examine the key challenges experienced and lessons learned when organizations undergo large-scale agile transformations and seeks to answer the question of how…

5900

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the key challenges experienced and lessons learned when organizations undergo large-scale agile transformations and seeks to answer the question of how incumbent firms achieve agility at scale.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on a case study of a multinational corporation seeking to scale up agility, the authors combined 36 semistructured interviews with secondary data from the organization to analyze its transformation since the early planning period.

Findings

The results show how incumbent firms develop and successfully integrate agility-enhancing capabilities to sense, seize and transform in times of digital transformation and rapid change. The findings highlight how agility can be established initially at the divisional level, namely with a key accelerator in the form of a center of competence, and later prepared to be scaled up across the organization. Moreover, the authors abstract and organize the findings according to the dynamic capabilities framework and offer propositions of how companies can achieve organizational agility by scaling up agility from a divisional to an organizational level.

Practical implications

Along with in-depth insights into agile transformations, this article provides practitioners with guidance for developing agility-enhancing capabilities within incumbent organizations and creating, scaling and managing agility across them.

Originality/value

Examining the case of a multinational corporation's exceptional, pioneering effort to scale agility, this article addresses the strategic importance of agility and explains how organizational agility can serve incumbent firms in industries characterized by uncertainty and intense competition.

Details

Management Decision, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 June 2019

Masoud Rahiminezhad Galankashi, Syed Ahmad Helmi, Abd. Rahman Abdul Rahim and Farimah Mokhatab Rafiei

The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework to assess the agility of manufacturing companies.

Abstract

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.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 26 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Abstract

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 21 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 May 2023

Anupama Prashar

This purpose of the study is to investigate enablers of building agility capabilities in healthcare organisations in developing countries. The key research questions are: (1) What…

Abstract

Purpose

This purpose of the study is to investigate enablers of building agility capabilities in healthcare organisations in developing countries. The key research questions are: (1) What are the key enablers for building healthcare agility? (2) Is there an interdependence among the enablers of healthcare agility? (3) What is the driving and dependence power of the enabling factors of healthcare agility?

Design/methodology/approach

The enablers for building capabilities of organisational agility were identified from the extant literature. Perceptual responses for pair-wise comparison of identified enablers were collected from 17 clinical and non-clinical professionals working in Indian hospitals through online interviews. Participants were selected from India which supposedly represents the socioeconomic contexts and healthcare systems in developing economies. Next, the data was analysed using multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques to develop a structural framework depicting the enablers and their interdependence.

Findings

The TISM framework showed that the two most influential enablers of healthcare agility in developing countries are policy and regulatory support and strategic commitment and resource availability. The results were based on the analysis of four enablers identified from the literature. The results of MICMAC analysis revealed the driving and dependence power of each enabler and classified the enablers into driving, autonomous, dependence and linkage groups.

Practical implications

The study will help stakeholders and academics in the healthcare domain in devising effective strategies for building agility within healthcare systems and processes.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the service operations literature on building agile systems for dynamic and complex service environments.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 41 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

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