Operational Agility Research Articles

Developing model to analyze factors affecting firms’ agility and competitive capability

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate and explain the factors contributing to supply chain agility in service-oriented firms and therein to enhance competitive capabilities of the organization. The study has identified various variables from past studies that support firms in developing agile supply chain operations. Factors identified from prior studies are supply chain flexibility, supply chain visibility, supply chain responsiveness, supply chain speed and learning orientation, which were then empirically tested for further understanding.Design/methodology/approachUsing purposive sampling, a sample of 217 valid responses was gathered through structured questionnaire from supply chain practitioners working in various service industries of Pakistan. Partial least square-structural equation modeling was used for data analysis.FindingsThe results of the study show that learning orientation and flexibility of the service firm highly complement the goal of achieving agility in their operations. Speed and visibility also have a major impact on developing agile supply chain. Moreover, supply chain agility has a significantly positive impact on competitive capabilities.Originality/valueThis research is about investigating the operational agility of services sector, which is a one-off study especially in the context of developing and competitive market. This research will provide important insights into the context of dynamic capabilities view for policymakers and decision-makers who aim to develop their competitive strategies based on their operational agility.

Pressure-driven dynamic simulation of start up and shutdown procedures of distillation columns in air separation units

Changing power generation from fossil energy sources to renewables poses several challenges to the energy grid. Major energy consumers such as cryogenic air separation plants need to adapt in terms of operational agility and flexibility. Within this project, detailed dynamic models of all air separation unit (ASU) components are presented, which are an important tool to gain a deeper understanding of flexible plant operations. The main focus of this work, which is an extended version of Kender et al. (2018), lies in the dynamic modeling of the cryogenic distillation columns. Hence, a full-order stage-wise model (FOSM) is presented. All flows are pressure-driven, i.e. they result from a quasi-stationary momentum balance. Using this approach, specific scenarios for start-up or load change procedures, such as zero flow condition and reverse flow, can be simulated. To cope with the complexity of this modeling task, an innovative simulation framework is introduced. As case studies, the warm start up and a plant shutdown procedure are presented to demonstrate the ability to simulate the full operating range of an ASU. Warm start up means to initialize the model inventory at ambient conditions with zero flow. The shutdown procedure starts at steady state operation. The feed inlet valves are closed and the simulation is continued until a state of cold stand-by is reached.

A bandwidth‐agile balanced filtering power divider

In this article, a balanced filtering power divider (FPD) that allows for operational agility of the bandwidth (BW) is presented. The differential-mode power dividing and high common-mode (CM) suppression can be realized by microstrip-to-slotline transition. Two slotline open stubs with different lengths are added in shunt to the main slotline for the transition, which can not only introduce transmission poles for extending and controlling transition BW, but also generate two extra transmission zeros (TZs) near to the passband edges, featuring good filtering response. The two transmission poles can be independently tunable by loading varactors to the open ends of slotline stubs and two TZs will be changed accordingly so that the filtering passband BW is electrically tunable. To verify the theoretical prediction, a prototype of tunable balanced FPD is fabricated and measured. The measured results show that the 3-dB fractional bandwidth (FBW) of the passband varies from 5.6% to 12.6%, meaning more than a double tuning range for the FBW, and the CM suppression is better than 40 dB across the frequency band of interest.

For whom do we write?

For whom do we write?

Modelling the factors of agility of humanitarian operations

The commercial concept of agility, when responding to humanitarian operations, has strong potential for increasing efficiency and effectiveness. The aim of this paper is to explore the concept of agility in the context of humanitarian operations, particularly cart festivals in India. This responds to the increasing pressure on festival organisers and public administrative officials to manage the festival and to control the crowd and other supporting facilities in a particular time window. Agility plays a major role in accommodating the unpredicted changes in cart festivals. Attempts are made to identify the factors which influence the agility of humanitarian operations. In this study, interpretive structural modelling (ISM) approach is applied to find the interrelationships among the factors. Finally, it is found that the most influential factors are multi-skilled and flexible people, Informal learning and development, completeness and change of culture.

Modelling the factors of agility of humanitarian operations

Modelling the factors of agility of humanitarian operations

Business Case for Rationalization of Knowledge Acquisition in the Critical Infrastructure Security Field through the Operationalization of Technical Systems Used for Monitoring and Inspection

Abstract This article brings to the attention of specialists few points related to an improvement of existing situation in the field of critical infrastructure security through the implementation of advanced technologies and employing a scientific research methodology based on project management. For ensuring the functionality of critical infrastructures, the characteristics of current security environment such as volatility, ambiguity and uncertainty, which determine the use of solutions characterized mainly by the operational agility, have been taken into account. The results of this approach can be useful both for the educational field and for the staff who occupy positions inside the critical infrastructure protection departments within organizations holding or managing such critical infrastructures.

Pressure-driven dynamic simulation of distillation columns in air separation units

At the moment, the change in power generation from fossil energy sources to renewables poses several challenges to the energy system and major energy consumers such as cryogenic air separation plants. Due to a more volatile power generation and the lack of storage systems, the energy price fluctuates and power intensive processes need to adapt regarding their operational agility and flexibility.Currently, air separation units are designed for steady state operation at their optimal operating point with a minimum amount of load change procedures during their lifetime.Within this work, detailed dynamic models of all plant components are developed which are an important tool to get a deeper understanding of flexible plant operations. Based on this, the process design can be adapted to allow for a more flexible mode of operation. In addition, those models can be used to develop and optimise advanced load change control strategies, which are more agile and consume less equipment lifetime compared to the state-of-the-art load change procedures. Hence, air separation plants are able to perform more frequent load changes and participate in a fluctuating energy market. Furthermore, these tasks are particularly challenging for air separation units, since they are mainly characterised by a high degree of process integration, high demands on product purity and non-linear column responses during plant start-up.The “warm” start-up procedure is chosen as a representative scenario for any load change procedure, since it is the numerically most challenging simulation. “Warm” start-up means to initialise the model inventory at ambient conditions with zero flow. Based on this scenario, more technically relevant scenarios like the “cold” start-up after a plant shutdown as well as advanced control strategies can be investigated to allow a more flexible and agile operation.

An Empirical Study to Understand the Effect of Supply Chain Agility on Organizational Operational Performance

To bring agility in supply chain operations is a critical factor for firms in order to meet customers' requirements in an effective and productive manner. Several researchers have been argued that agility has become a prime driver of competitiveness. However, agility with respect to supply chain was not extensively studied, especially less attention was paid to empirical work. This article attempts to fulfill such need by investigating the relationship between supply chain agility (SCA) and organizational performance (OP) in the context of Iran. Primary data were collected through surveys distribution to 500 SC managers of all levels in Iranian SMEs. Subsequently, hypotheses were tested through SPSS and Structure Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings revealed a positive relationship between SCA and OP along with positive relationships of each dimension of SCA (e.g., alertness, decisiveness, flexibility, accessibility, and swiftness). This article ensures that organizational OP might be improved by focusing SCA in the today's competitive environment.

Realising platform operational agility through information technology–enabled capabilities: A resource‐interdependence perspective

AbstractIntensifying competition in recent times requires business‐to‐consumer (B2C) e‐commerce platforms to develop operational agility for competitive advantage. Despite the agreement on an increasing competitive landscape, the process for realising information technology (IT)‐driven operational agility on e‐business platforms has received little scrutiny. Through an investigation of M.com, a leading multisided online retailing platform in China, this study provides a clear thesis of resource interdependencies and IT‐enabled capabilities forged during operational processes to realise operational agility. Our investigation, observations, and reflections from practice substantiate a model of how a platform like M.com cultivates IT‐driven resource‐interdependent competencies and capabilities tantamount to realising operational agility. The model shows how IT enables three capabilities—localised, synergistic, and optimised—which reflect the effective co‐ordination of three resource interdependencies (pooled, sequential, and reciprocal) during M.com's complex operations and processes, and explicates the consequences. For research, we postulate that IT‐enabled operational agility in complex organisational forms, cultivated through the development of resource‐interdependent capabilities to deliver effective sensing and response mechanisms, forms effective strategies for the B2C platform in dynamic marketplace conditions.

Intelligent process-aware information systems to support agility in disaster relief operations: a survey of emerging approaches

Agility is a key characteristic in disaster relief operations. Intelligent process-aware information systems (IPAISs) can support agility in disaster relief operations through providing information and process reach and richness to manage dynamic inter-operations. In this research, based on relevant reference architectures, a conceptual overview of an IPAIS to support agility in disaster relief operations is described. This conceptual overview includes the dynamic partnering, the collaborative process composition, the collaborative ontology management, the global workflow engine, the run-time coordination, the dynamic rule management, the run-time process proposer, and the dynamic interoperability adaptor components. Based on this conceptual overview, a systematic literature review is conducted to explore emerging approaches that can be applied to realise intelligent process-centred collaborative inter-operations to respond disasters. The findings of the conducted review show the applicability of the emerging multi-agent service-oriented modelling and analysis approaches, optimal control theory based methodologies, social network analysis techniques, data-driven inductive methods, resilient-centred approaches for robustness and agility, self-organisation mechanisms based on cyber physical systems and systems of systems perspectives, simulation methods, and trust management procedures to support the realisation of the components of an IPAIS in the context of disaster relief operations.

Use of information and communication technology in logistics operations of storage: a case study of application in industry of toys

Currently supply chains are increasingly competitive, making companies seek constantly a differential in its products, process or services information and communication technology, when well used, it becomes a differential for the pursuit of excellence in organizations the present study aims to present the use of information and communication technology in logistics operations, specifically, in storage with the use of an ERP system integrated with mobile technology methodology this is an exploratory research, and takes the form of a case study in a toy manufacturing company. The research demonstrated that the ERP system integrated with mobile technology allowed the reduction of costs in the storage process, as well as the agility in the storage operations, with the optimization of the flow of activities, simplification and speed in the process of supplying materials, one of the recommendations of the research, it is suggested, the assessment of use of RFID in the logistics operations along with the ERP system and mobile technology.

A fully tunable two‐pole bandpass filter with wide tuning range based on half mode substrate integrated waveguide

AbstractA two‐pole tunable bandpass filter (BPF) which allows for the operational agility of both center frequency and bandwidth is proposed in this article. The fundamental structure is based on half mode substrate integrated waveguide (HMSIW) with different dimensions. Two sets of varactors placed at various nodes separately are utilized for adjusting center frequency and bandwidth over a wide tuning range. By adding a source‐load coupling path, two transmission zeros are produced on both sides of the passband to improve filter selectivity significantly. A second‐order 1.52–2.76 GHz filter with 3 dB constant bandwidth tuning from 240 to 350 MHz is developed, analyzed, simulated, and fabricated. Good agreement is obtained between simulated and experimental results.

A strategy for enhancing the operational agility of petroleum refinery plant using case based fuzzy reasoning method

Operational agility, which represents the capability of the plant/facility regarding the fast detection and adaption to the new situations facing external/internal changes, is commonly regarded as one of central-properties for Smart Process Manufacturing. Clearly, operational agility significantly affects the plant/facility performance such as profit and safety. In this work, a strategy for enhancing the operational agility of petroleum refinery plants is proposed. For this strategy, the accumulated data sets from the industrial plants as well as the high-fidelity simulation activities are firstly processed to formulate the case base with a determined structure. Fuzzy matching is adopted to evaluate the similarity between the new coming case and the potential one in the formulated case base. A new criterion, namely stability number, is proposed as the performance metric for choosing an appropriate type of Fuzzy membership function (FMF). Furthermore, an optimization model is set to optimize parameters of the selected Fuzzy membership function. The application of the proposed strategy to an industrial Fluidized Catalytic Cracking Unit (FCCU) is performed to demonstrate the relevant effectiveness.

Impact of Strategic Agility on Business Continuity Management (BCM): The Moderating Role of Entrepreneurial Alertness: An Applied Study in Jordanian Insurance Companies

This paper presents an introduction and identification of business continuity management under the influence of strategic agility. Consequently, this study investigating the underlying dimensions of strategic agility and business continuity management in the presence of entrepreneurial alertness with special emphasize to Jordanian Insurance companies. The results of the study indicates that operational agility is the most mature agility at Jordanian Insurance companies, and it works better with the presence of entrepreneurial alertness to get efficient and effective business continuity management.

The Internet of Things, dynamic data and information processing capabilities, and operational agility

Whilst there are promising links between the Internet of Things (IoTs), dynamic data and information processing capabilities (DDIPCs), and operational agility, scholars have not conducted enough empirical studies that offer convincing evidence for the use of the IoTs and relevant linkages. This study therefore examines the links between such constructs and provides managerial implications for contemporary data and information driven managers who adopt evidence-based decision making for better operational outcomes. The results obtained from structural equation modelling indicate that the use of the IoTs is the key determinant for operational agility and also plays a vital role in establishing DDIPCs that further reinforce it. Additionally, DDIPCs mediate the relationship between the use of the IoTs and operational agility. By persuasively building these links based on theoretical arguments and testing them by using a unique dataset, this study contributes to the deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which the use of the IoTs and DDIPCs strengthen operational agility.

Optimal Supply Planning for Commercial Seeds

We analyze the optimal production and inventory decisions of a global corn seed manufacturer. Due to naturally long supply lead times and short selling seasons in agriculture, we propose a newsvendor model, which includes not only supply and demand uncertainty, but also product returns and perishability. First, we present the general model for a single variety and derive structural results. Second, we characterize the optimal production and inventory management in multi-period case model for a single end product. Third, we solve the single-product, single-period case and analyze via Monte Carlo simulations using market data. Long lead supply lead time also causes demand forecasts to be notoriously unreliable. Thus, we model and solve various special cases, including scenarios with salvaging and postponement, as well as comparing across these different settings to assess the value of operational agility. Our analysis shows that while salvaging protects the firm against yield uncertainty, postponement is an effective defense against demand uncertainty.

A Theoretical Framework of IT-Enabled Operations Strategy: A Multi-Method Approach

The pervasiveness of information technology (IT) forces organizations to develop capabilities in order to leverage IT-oriented resources and processes in operations. However, the system of IT-oriented resources and processes that organizations need to develop to achieve operational competency remains unclear. Using a multi-method approach that combines quantitative and qualitative data analyses, this paper presents a theoretical framework of IT-enabled operations strategy that conceptualizes the role of IT capability in leveraging resources and processes for operational agility. Drawing on operations and IT business value research, we advance that IT enables operational agility through two dimensions: resource leveraging and process enhancing. From the perspective of resourced-based operations strategy, we explore the role of IT in resource leveraging by investigating the nonlinear relationship between IT infrastructure and IT reconfiguration. From the perspective of process-oriented operations strategy, we explore the role of IT in process enhancing by investigating the nonlinear relationship between IT coordination and IT integration. Our PLS results, based on a sample of 113 organizations in Europe, Asia and North America, show that the interaction between IT infrastructure and IT reconfiguration positively influences operational agility, hence showing complementarity between the two constructs, while the interaction between IT coordination and IT integration negatively affects operational agility, hence indicating substitutability between the two constructs. A series of 56 interviews were further conducted to validate the PLS results, and to provide finer grained explanation of the research model and quantitative findings. Our findings offer an alternative explanation of the inconsistent relationship between IT capability and operational agility found in the literature.

Investigating the strategic antecedents of agility in humanitarian logistics.

This study investigates the strategic antecedents of operational agility in humanitarian logistics. It began by identifying the particular actions to be taken at the strategic level of a humanitarian organisation to support field-level agility. Next, quantitative data (n=59) were collected on four strategic-level capabilities (being purposeful, action-focused, collaborative, and learning-oriented) and on operational agility (field responsiveness and flexibility). Using a quantitative analysis, the study tested the relationship between organisational capacity building and operational agility and found that the four strategic-level capabilities are fundamental building blocks of agility. Collectively they account for 52 per cent of the ability of humanitarian logisticians to deal with ongoing changes and disruptions in the field. This study emphasises the need for researchers and practitioners to embrace a broader perspective of agility in humanitarian logistics. In addition, it highlights the inherently strategic nature of agility, the development of which involves focusing simultaneously on multiple drivers.

IT-enabled operational agility: An interdependencies perspective

Firms make large investments in enterprise information technology (IT) expecting positive impacts on their supply chain operations. Toward IT-enabled operational agility, an enterprise system facilitates the responsibilities of multiple stakeholders; however, its success is not determined merely by its adoption. Firms must contend with information asymmetries and resource interdependencies simultaneously. To this end, this study presents a model that illustrates how IT can be used to accomplish operational agility at a firm. The stagewise model suggests that toward IT-enabled operational agility, new capabilities are enacted to manage resource interdependencies, the process of negotiation and managerial practices that shape IT use in supply chain tasks. Through our findings, our study extends existing prescriptions on firm interdependencies and presents a set of actionable guidelines to help managers better engage with technology toward the attainment of IT-enabled operational agility.