A hybrid multi-criteria decision-making approach to assess the enablers of manufacturing flexibility under fuzzy environment

Abstract

PurposeThe study aims to assess and prioritise the enablers of manufacturing flexibility by evaluating the degree of environmental uncertainty and manufacturing flexibility in an uncertain environment.Design/methodology/approachThe study proposes a methodological approach based on fuzzy quality function deployment (FQFD), fuzzy analytical hierarchical process (FAHP) and fuzzy technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (FTOPSIS) to assess and prioritise enablers of manufacturing flexibility in an uncertain environment.FindingsThe study proposes a methodological approach that can facilitate firms to concentrate on preferred enablers and assist them in formulating a strategy to develop manufacturing flexibility. The empirical case study analysis of an Indian auto-air conditioning manufacturing firm was done to illustrate the effectiveness, flexibility and feasibility of the proposed approach.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed approach is limited to manufacturing flexibility. This study does not consider inter-dependencies among environmental uncertainties.Practical implicationsThe proposed methodological approach can assist practitioners in the identification and development of the preferred enablers to improve manufacturing flexibility. Thus, practitioners can invest strategically in the right resources to improve manufacturing flexibility.Originality/valueThe study proposes and validates a methodological approach that simultaneously addresses drivers and enablers of manufacturing flexibility; therefore, it aims to fill the gaps of earlier studies that have majorly studied flexibility concept in an isolated way.

Opening manufacturing flexibility's black box: the unexplored role of internal flexibility

“…, 2013; Koste et al. , 2004; Mishra, 2020, 2021a, b). For example, Khalaf and El Mokadem (2019) and Zhang et al.…”

“…Manufacturing flexibility (MF), “ defined as the capacity to deploy or redeploy production resources efficiently as changes in the environment require ” (Camison and Lopez, 2010, p. 854) within a shorter time and at less cost (Hussain, 2015; Mishra, 2020, 2021a, b), has become a fundamental facet of firms' operations strategies and a relevant factor for enhancing their competitive advantage (CA) (Palominos et al. , 2019).…”

“…CA is understood as “a firm's ability to produce more efficiently and/or better satisfy customer needs relative to competitors ” (Graham and McAdam, 2016, p. 9); however, despite its relevance, the understanding of the MF–CA relationship is far from complete (Pérez-Pérez et al. , 2018) “ due to the lack of comprehensive view about MF ” (Mishra, 2020, 2021a, b, p. 1).…”

“…The external manufacturing flexibility level (EF) is relative to the need of customer requirements (Khalaf and El Mokadem, 2019; Upton, 1995). It is usually better recognised by customers since it directly affects a firm's competitiveness (Khalaf and El Mokadem, 2019; Mishra, 2020, 2021a, b). EF includes new product, mix, volume or delivery flexibilities (Chang et al.…”

Multiple-Criteria Decision Analysis Using TOPSIS and WSA Method for Quality of Life: The Case of Slovakia Regions

“…Modern innovation policy is increasingly focused on the environment. Eco-innovation generally has a positive impact on the environmental, economic and social growth of companies that are gradually adopting sustainable development [23,24]. Continuous data are used to assess the most complex socio-economic phenomena using multicritical methods, the source of which is most often public statistics.…”