Development of Framework for Analyzing Flexibility in Supply Chain

Abstract

In present era of global competition, organizations are trying to improve the effectiveness of the whole chain of organizations involved from raw material to delivery of final product to consumer. In this regard, supply chain management is playing crucial role. Uncertainty and variation in customers’ needs, call for flexibility in the supply chain. Supply chain flexibility gives an account of inter-organizational relationships. In many industries supply chain flexibility is becoming a more and more important concept for gaining competitive advantages. By the design and use of strategic supply chain networks, significant improvements of supply chain flexibility can be achieved to improve overall flexibility of supply chain. Without analyzing the supply chain flexibility adequately, it is difficult to manage and organize the flow of material and information necessary for coordination in supply chain. This paper aims to find the main flexibility factors in supply chain and development of structural framework by using interpretive structural modeling approach (ISM).