Towards an Empirical-Relational Model of Supply Chain Flexibility

Abstract

Supply chains are prone to disruptions and associated risks. To develop capabilities for risk mitigation, supply chains need to be flexible. A flexible supply chain can respond better to environmental contingencies. Based on the theoretical tenets of resource-based view, relational view and dynamic capabilities theory, the current study develops a relational model of supply chain flexibility comprising trust, commitment, communication, co-operation, adaptation and interdependence. Subsequently the model is empirically validated based on a web based survey of 132 supply chain professionals in the Indian context.

Sustainable supply chain management towards disruption and organizational ambidexterity: A data driven analysis

“… I15 Supply chain flexibility SC flexibility is the capability to react to long-term or essential SC fluctuations or market environment such as technological, ecological, demand and supply changes by adjusting the sc configuration. Eckstein et al (2015) ; Blome et al (2014) ; Rojo-Gallego-Burin et al (2020) ; Burin et al (2020) ; Mandal (2015) ; Sahu et al (2015) ; Huang & Lu (2020) ; Pu et al (2018) ; Shekarian et al (2020) ; Shekarian & Mellat Parast (2020) ; Baharmand et al (2019) ; Shen et al (2019) . I16 Supply chain integration SC integration is defined as the strategic collaboration with supply chain partners besides aligning intra-organizational practices related to flow and production of products, services, information and joint decision-making in various functional areas inside (internal integration) and outside firm boundaries (supplier and customer integration) Shah et al (2020) ; Scott (2016) ; Munir et al (2020) ; Shukor et al (2020) , Syed et al (2019) ; da Silva Poberschnigg et al (2020) ; Durowoju et al (2020) ; de Freitas et al (2019) ; Palm et al (2020) ; Magill et al (2020) .…”

Effect of Supply Chain Coordination on Performance

“…It enables firms to cope with unexpected difficulties, survive the unique threats of the business environment,andtransformchangesintoanadvantageasanopportunity (Gligoret al,2015;Mandal, 2015;Swaffordet al,2006).Further,CAleveragesthestrategicbenefitsgainedovercompetition throughsupplychaincollaborativerelationships (CaoandZhang,2010;Dyer,2000).CaoandZhang (2010)showthatsupplychainCAdirectlyimprovesfirmperformance.Bycollaboratingmembersof asupplychaincanworkasiftheywerepartofthesamefirm,thusincreasingthejointperformance oftheparticipatingfirms.Throughsupplychaincollaborationfirmscangainstrategicbenefitsover competitorsthroughsynergisticpartnering.Engagingincollaborativerelationshipsallowsfirmsto diminishtheirtransactioncostsarisingduetothehazardsofopportunism (Daughertyet al,2006).…”

“…This shared benefit also increases the tendency of supply chain members to engage on collaborative relationships more openly since the firms is less under the risk of losing its core resource and knowledge base. It therefore improves the likelihood of better translating the benefits of supply chain relationships into increased performance among supply chain members and provides the firms with competitive advantage (Mandal, 2015).…”

“…It enables firms to cope with unexpected difficulties, survive the unique threats of the business environment, and transform changes into an advantage as an opportunity (Gligor et al, 2015;Mandal, 2015;Swafford et al, 2006). Further, CA leverages the strategic benefits gained over competition through supply chain collaborative relationships (Cao and Zhang, 2010;Dyer, 2000).…”

Investigating Relationships Between Supply Chain Capabilities, Competitive Advantage, and Business Performance

“…Delivery reliability refers to the ability that the company can offer on-time service and accurate delivery amount for supply chain entities (Wacker, 1996). Flexibility is described as the adjusted ability of a manufacturing system to deal with uncertainties in the business environment as well as customer demand (Barad & Sipper, 1988;Sethi & Sethi, 1990;Mandal, 2015). On the other hand, cost capability focuses on reducing production costs, controlling inventory level, and increasing equipment and capacity utilization in a company (Noble, 1997;Ward & Duray, 2000).…”