The dynamics behind the performance outcomes of agile supply chains: a comparative study

Purpose This study aims to explore how the application of digital technology and information technology can help firms improve their innovation performance and examines the mediating mechanisms of supply chain agility and supply chain integration. Design/methodology/approach This study conducted a questionnaire survey of 320 business managers in an automotive cluster in China and analyzed the collected data using structural equations. Findings Digital technology applications (DTA) have a positive impact on innovation performance, while supply chain agility and integration mediate this impact. In addition, information technology applications (ITA) also has a positive impact on innovation performance, while supply chain agility and integration mediate between the two. Supply chain agility (SCA) and supply chain integration (SCI) significantly enhance the positive impact of technology adoption on firms' innovation performance. Originality/value This study confirms the impact of digital technology and information technology applications on innovation performance and explores the mediating role played by supply chain agility and integration.

Pig sector in China is faced with high risks, such as price fluctuation and food safety, and environmental regulation uncertainty. The recent African swine fever has caused public panic and drop down of pork consumption in a short term. The “wu-shui-gong-zhi” policy is a newly recognized environmental policy risk, and its key content is to shut down directly the pig farms close to water resources. Lots of small- and medium-sized farms have been affected, especially in coastal provinces. Supply chain integration received wide attention in supply chain management. Literature has shown that a well-coordinated food supply chain will bring positive outcomes for chain stakeholders. However, the relationship between food supply chain integration and resilience is not empirically captured. This research aims to explore the relationship between supply chain integration and supply chain resilience, and the mechanism of how supply chain integration works on supply chain resilience. To achieve the research purpose, an in-depth ethnographical case study is performed. Four cases in China’s pig sector were selected, with different types of supply chain integration between cooperative and companies. They differ in supply chain resilience levels. We found that supply chain integration has a positive effect on supply chain resilience through agility and robustness. Supply chain agility also has positive relationship with supply chain robustness. It implies that supply chain stakeholders should efficiently exchange information, enhance circulation rate, and jointly make plans to be more resilient to risks. The government needs to make policies to encourage and facilitate supply chain integration among supply chain members to enhance supply chain resilience.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the direct and indirect effects of information and communication technology (ICT) on a hybrid lean-agile supply chain performance (HSCP) in terms of leanness, agility and leagility of automotive supply chains (SCs) in Egypt. A conceptual framework was proposed and tested using questionnaires, which were filled through face-to-face interviews. A mixed-methods approach was used to achieve a comprehensive understanding of research relationships. The population was 101 international organizations in Egyptian automotive industry within its three sub-sectors (manufacturers of auto-feeding and automotive industries and distributors). Structural equation modelling was used to examine the proposed relationships. Results indicated that ICT positively/significantly affects both SC integration (SCI) and HSCP. SCI positively/significantly affects SC information sharing (SCIS). SCIS affects HSCP in terms of mass customization and postponement positively/significantly. The three sub-sectors are using a new blended SC strategy that hybridizes attributes of each approach according to the SC node’s position. This article adds value to the current debate on the applicability of implementing a blended lean-agile SC strategy by integrating two main lines of management research (leagility approach and hybridized lean-agile manufacturing systems) into one new hybrid approach. It is the first study that investigated empirically the direct/indirect ICT–HSCP relationships of multiple nodes in a heterogeneous market. It maps the hierarchical auto SCs of an emerging market. It provides automotive SC players with practical insights on using ICT for better SCI and SCIS and choosing the appropriate aspects of leanness, agility and leagility based on the organization’s position across its SC.

The rapid development of technology has enabled companies to integrate internal and external partners working together in the supply chain network. Supply chain integration allows fast information to facilitate real-time and reliable decision-making. This study investigates the role of supply chain integration on firm performance through adopting lean manufacturing, green supply chain management, and risk management. The study surveyed manufacturing companies implementing ISO 14000 to represent green supply chain management and integrated information technology as a form of integration. The questionnaires were distributed using a Google form, and 93 valid responses were obtained. Data analysis employed a partial least square approach with SmartPLS software 4.1 version. The data processing results found that supply chain integration increased lean manufacturing by 0.684, green supply chain management by 0.451, and supply chain risk management by 0.333. Lean manufacturing companies using a continuous process control system and process improvements significantly improve green supply chain management by a path coefficient of 0.477, supply chain risk management by 0.206, and firm performance by 0.370. Green supply chain management significantly impacts supply chain risk management by a coefficient of 0.416 and firm performance by 0.189. Supply chain risk management with a system for detecting operational process risks and emergency procedures in overcoming changes in customer orders affects the increase in firm performance by 0.354. The practical contribution of research provides insight for practitioners to invest in information technology and adopt ISO 14000 implementation. Theoretical contributions in developing resources-based view theory in adopting green supply chain management and lean manufacturing.

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between knowledge management (KM) processes and supply chain performance, with information technology/information system (IT/IS) support, supply chain integration, and supply chain strategy as moderators.Design/methodology/approach– Drawing on the knowledge-based view, a theoretical framework is developed consisting of six KM processes: knowledge creation, knowledge capture, knowledge organization, knowledge storage, knowledge dissemination, and knowledge application, and the performance of supply chain is evaluated in terms of four Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) process elements: Plan, Source, Make, and Delivery. Structural equation modeling is employed using a sample of 78 Iranian manufacturers in mechanical and engineering industry.Findings– Empirical results show that KM processes have a significant impact on supply chain performance which is positively moderated by IT/IS support and supply chain integration. While the moderating effect of IT/IS support is found to be considerably stronger, the relationship between KM processes and supply chain performance is not significantly different in lean and agile supply chains.Research limitations/implications– Since the sample for this study is small and drawn only from manufacturing companies in mechanical and engineering industry, it would be important to conduct further empirical studies with larger samples from a wider range of industries to improve and strengthen our analyses and provide more conclusive and generalizable results.Originality/value– Through empirical study, a better understanding of the impact of KM processes on supply chain performance and the moderating role of IT/IS support and supply chain integration can be gained.

Purpose In light of the complex and volatile business environment, the study aims to examine the influence of supply chain technological capabilities (SCTCs) on supply chain learning (SCL) and supply chain integration (SCI). Additionally, it examines the impact of supply chain learning and integration on supply chain absorptive capacity, as well as the effect of supply chain absorptive capacity (SCAC) on supply chain resilience (SCR) and supply chain robustness (SCRO). Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a quantitative approach, with data collected from 411 manufacturing firms in China. For data analysis, PLS-SEM was utilized to achieve the study objectives. Findings The outcome reveals that SCTCs favorably influence both SCL and SCI. Furthermore, SCL and SCI positively affect SCAC, which in turn has a beneficial impact on the SCR and SCRO. Practical implications Practitioners gain actionable insights into leveraging SCTCs to enhance collaborative learning and integration, strengthening absorptive capacity. The study guides firms in designing adaptive supply chains by prioritizing technology adoption, knowledge-sharing mechanisms, and agile partnerships to mitigate disruptions. Originality/value Grounded in the dynamic capabilities view, this study advances academic understanding by empirically validating a novel framework linking SCTCs, SCL, SCI and SCAC to SCR and SCRO. Unlike prior studies, it uniquely examines the interplay of these constructs in disruption contexts, addressing a critical gap in supply chain literature. The findings reveal that SCTCs are foundational to fostering SCL and SCI, amplifying SCAC —a key driver of SCR and SCRO.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to establish the importance of human resource (HR) practices in achieving high levels of supply chain (SC) integration through a conceptual framework (depicting the moderation effect of HR practices on the relationship between information sharing and SC integration) and validating the framework empirically to establish the proposed relationships. Design/methodology/approach The conceptual framework is proposed based on gaps in extant literature. Data from 60 automobile component manufacturing organizations in India are used to analyse the relationship between the study variables. Regression analysis is used to find the relative impact of predictor variable (Information sharing) on SC integration and the moderation effect of HR practices (training, collaborative performance systems and reward alignment) on this relationship. Findings The results indicate that information sharing has a significant effect on SC integration, and the relationship between these two variables is found to be positively moderated by “training” and “reward alignment”, while “collaborative performance systems” does not emerge as a significant moderator in the proposed relationships. Research limitations/implications It is expected that this study will contribute to both academics and practice. Along with extending the scope of research at the academic level, it is also expected to help practising managers to understand the importance of HR in SC, and to identify various HR practices which can be focused on to improve SC integration. Originality/value The framework and analysis presented in this paper help to provide an understanding of how HR practices of organizations can help in improving the relationship between information sharing and SC integration.

In this study, the direct effect of environmental uncertainty on competitive advantage and its indirect effect through the sequential mediator variables of supply chain integration and supply chain agility were investigated. The sample of the study consists of company managers operating in the manufacturing sector in Turkey. An online survey was sent to company managers through connections established on LinkedIn and an analysis was carried out with the data collected from 414 participants. As a result of the analysis, it has been determined that environmental uncertainty has a direct, significant and positive effect on competitive advantage. In addition, the results of the research show that supply chain integration and supply chain agility have a partial mediating role in the relationship between environmental uncertainty and competitive advantage. According to the results of this study, in conditions of high environmental uncertainty, companies can increase their supply chain agility capabilities by establishing a more integrated structure with their supply chain partners, and thus gain a unique competitive advantage over their competitors. It has been observed that the relationships between the concepts, which are the subject of the study, have been investigated separately in different studies in the literature. This study will contribute to the literature by investigating the relationships between concepts in a holistic way.

This study investigates how tech-driven integration (TDI), supply chain flexibility (SCF), and organizational ambidexterity (ORA) influence supply chain integration (SCI) and supply chain performance (SCP) in manufacturing firms. Supply chain uncertainty and agility are examined as moderating factors in the relationship between TDI, SCF, ORA, SCI, and supply chain performance. Based on insights from two experts and a comprehensive literature review, 35 measurement items were identified for the close-ended questionnaire design. Grounded in the resource-based view, the study employs the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach to analyze 409 valid responses from the manufacturing industry. Our findings reveal that TDI and ORA positively impact SCI, while SCF has no significant influence on SCI. SCI directly influences SCP. Supply chain uncertainty moderates the two impacts: TDI and SCI; ORA and SCI. Besides, supply chain agility moderates the relationship between SCI and SCP. Our findings contribute to the literature by introducing a novel perspective on the relational dynamics of supply chain management by TDI and emphasizing the importance of organizational ambidexterity. We provide practical recommendations for managers to improve firm performance by strengthening the connections between TDI, SCF, ORA, uncertainty, agility, SCI, and SCP.

오늘날 고객 수요의 다변화, 제품수명주기의 단축, 환경적 제약으로 인하여 기업의 공급사슬을 둘러싼 불확실성은 지속적으로확대되고 있다. 불확실한 경영 환경 속에서 기업들은 통합 정보시스템의 구축과 전략적 협력 관계를 바탕으로 공급사슬 상의 정보공유의 수준을 강화하여 공급사슬통합을 실현하고자 한다. 본 연구는 기업 간 정보공유가 공급사슬통합에 미치는 영향에 관하여산업유형 간 차이에 주목하였다. 국내 자동차 산업을 구성하는 완성차 제조 및 부품 협력업체와 이에 대한 물류 아웃소싱을 수행하는 물류 기업을 대상으로 기업 간 정보공유가 공급사슬통합에 미치는 실증적 영향관계를 파악하고자 한다. 실증적 영향관계의파악을 위해 구조방정식분석과 다중집단분석을 수행하였다. 분석 결과, 자동차 산업은 정보공유에 기반한 공급사슬통합이 실현되고 있으나, 자동차 산업의 물류 흐름을 지원하는 물류 산업은 정보공유와 공급사슬통합 간의 유의미한 영향관계가 도출되지 않았다. 공급사슬통합을 실현하기 위해서는 정보의 흐름과 상응하는 물류의 흐름이 필수적이며, 자동차 제조 관련 기업들뿐만 아니라물류를 대행하는 물류기업들과의 완전한 정보공유 혹은 통합이 필요한 것으로 판단된다. 자동차 산업은 신속하고 유연한 생산체제를 지향하고 있으며 진정한 의미의 공급사슬통합을 실현하기 위해서는 물류 기업과의 완전한 정보공유가 이루어져야 함을 시사한다.Due to diversification of customer demand, short product life cycle and environmental constraints, the uncertainties surrounding a company’s supply chain is expanding continously. Under uncertain business environments, companies seek to achieve supply chain integration by reinforcing the level of information sharing in the supply chain based on the establishment of an integrated information system and strategic cooperation. This study focuses on the differences between industry types in terms of the effect of information sharing between companies on supply chain integration. The purpose of this study is to identify and compare the empirical effects of information sharing between companies on supply chain integration, targeting domestic automobile manufacturing companies and logistics companies. Structural equation analysis and multi-group analysis were undertaken to test the hypothesis. As a result of the statistical analysis, supply chain integration based on information sharing has been achieved in the automobile industry, but the logistics industry. In order to realize the supply chain integration, the flow of information and the corresponding flow of logistics are essential, and it is judged that complete information sharing or integration with not only automobile manufacturing-related companies but also logistics companies that handle logistics is necessary. The automotive industry aims for a fast and flexible production system, and it implies that complete information sharing with logistics companies must be made in order to achieve true supply chain integration.

We provide a technical assessment and critique of the existing literature via highlighting problems associated with conceptualization and technical improvement of agility practices. By presenting a narrative evaluation of the technical review, we underscore the nature of the SC hazard in addition to agility practices and furnish a synthesis for future studies. The purpose is to examine the relationship between identifying and ranking the elements affecting supply management for SC agility in compressed natural gas pressure vessels. This study is applied research and data are collected based on descriptive survey. The populace of the investigation is milled compressed natural gas pressure vessels. Survey data are amassed through interviews and questionnaires. Cronbach’s alpha has been utilized to evaluate the reliability of the values received 0.778, which shows that the questionnaire is of excellent reliability and the questionnaire has 27 questions. Also, because the volume of the statistical population is 270 people, the consequences show that there is a positive connection among the empowerment of SC agility. Driving agility is on a positive supply chain (SC) agility. The expense has a poagilitysitive impact on SC agility.

A Knowledge-based Customization System for Supply Chain Integration

In recent years, firms have been using their supply chain integration (SCI) as a competitive weapon in the intensive, globalised competitive arena. The contingent perspective in supply chain management maintains that it is necessary to observe the interaction between SCI practices and supply chain justice. A critical issue to be resolved is whether this fit leads to synergistic and complementary effects on supply chain performance. In order to contribute to this research problem, we analysed supply chain justice instances in order to determine the importance of supply chain justice, as well as highlights complementary role in SCI and its influences on supply chain performance. A conceptual framework has been developed and five propositions established to verify the contents of a theoretical study. Accordingly, balancing the adoption of SCI practices and supply chain justice will lead to the generation of greater benefits relative to the effect of both independent driving forces on supply chain performance. Furthermore, the proposed framework has been analysed in order to examine its applicability in the South African context. The study thereby suggests the empirical research guidelines and the paper concludes with a discussion of future research.

Purpose Supply chain (SC) and knowledge management (KM) have been studied; still, there is a need to understand how KM can be used for SC resilience and improving the firm’s performance. The purpose of the paper is to study and analyze SC resilience strategies based on KM processes to enhance SC performance considering six SC strategies: SC reengineering, collaboration, SC innovation, SC integration, SC agility and SC risk management. Design/methodology/approach By adopting the dynamic capability theory, the empirical research is conducted on a sample of 312 Indian micro, small to medium enterprises. To evaluate 312 samples, the structural equation modeling approach is adopted. Findings The study found a is a positive relationship between SC reengineering, SC collaboration, SC integration, SC agility, SC risk management and KM. Nevertheless, the relationship between SC innovation and KM is not significant. This study also found the mediating effect of KM on SC performance, and the results shows that SC reengineering, SC collaboration, SC agility and SC risk management are having complementary mediation, while SC innovation and SC integration did not show any mediation. Originality/value This is the only research that integrates resilience strategies and KM for improving SC performance. Using KM, SC reengineering will improve SC performance by enhancing readiness and recovery strategies to avoid SC disruption. KM will improve SC collaboration. It will enhance the SC process’ overall visibility, transparency and so on. Agility leads to increased speed, visibility and flexibility, which aids in dealing with uncertainty in the environment. SCRM entails investments and additional resources (such as equipment and labor) to navigate uncertainty and risks in the SC and improve SC performance.

Purpose – This paper aims to identify the antecedents of firm’s supply chain agility (SC agility) and how SC agility impacts on firm’s performance. Design/methodology/approach – Based on a comprehensive literature review, a conceptual model was proposed, in which the interrelated hypotheses were tested by structural equation modelling methodology using a dataset collected from 266 Chinese electronics firms. Findings – Initially, it was found that SC integration and external learning positively influenced SC agility. Second, the results indicated that firm’s performance is positively impacted by SC agility. Moreover, SC agility also fully mediated the effect of SC integration on firm’s performance and the effect of external learning on firm’s performance. Research limitations/implications – The generalizability of this research sample might be the major limitation of this study. Therefore, future research can adopt other industry sectors samples, such as automobile manufacturing, or other country samples to validate the research model. Practical implications – This research outlines strategies for better preparedness to achieve SCs to be agile which is a core competency of electronic firms in emerging market. Findings reveal that the external coordination practices – external learning and SC integration – are important factors of SC agility. In addition, the findings contribute to understanding the important role of SC agility in improving firm’s performance. Originality/value – This research examines the impact of two antecedents (i.e. SC integration and external learning) on SC agility and is the first empirical research to analyze the mediation effect of SC agility on the relationship between SC integration and firm performance and the relationship between external learning and firm performance.