Understanding Different Perspectives of Supply Chain Flexibility

Övrigt konferensbidrag, 2024

Considering the increasing number of disruptive situations, supply chain flexibility became an important capability to enhance resilience in supply chains. However, there is a need for a more comprehensive understanding of the different perspectives of supply chain flexibility. Therefore, this paper aims to understand supply chain flexibility and its different dimensions from different system-level perspectives of the supply chain.This research was conducted with a conceptual and qualitative approach. For this study, a narrative literature review on the different system levels and their perspectives on supply chain flexibility has been conducted. Findings have shown that supply chain flexibility can be categorized into four levels, namely operational, tactical, strategical, and network level. All these levels contribute uniquely to the overall flexibility in the supply chain. Within these levels, certain dimensions have been found, that define the ability of supply chain flexibility in these levels. Through the conceptual framework, this paper helps researchers to understand supply chain flexibility from different perspectives which can be used and tested in future empirical studies. This paper helps through its conceptual framework to strategically align the use of supply chain flexibility to goals as it showcases that supply chain flexibility at different levels leads to long-term or short-term changes in the supply chain. Additionally, through the definition of roles and responsibilities of supply chain flexibility for each system level managers can easily prioritize different supply chain flexibility dimensions. As well, this paper offers a comprehensive review categorizing supply chain flexibility in different levels providing distinct perspectives for each level on supply chain flexibility. It therefore contributes to a deeper understanding of supply chain flexibility through the creation of a conceptual framework, which can be used for future research.