Title: A framework to assist supply chain agility development decision-making: a case study in an aerospace manufacturing company

Authors: Yi Sun, Z. Zhang, Eko Soehartono

Addresses: School of Engineering, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QF, UK. ' School of Engineering, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QF, UK. ' School of Engineering, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QF, UK

Abstract: In the 21st century, dramatic changes are occurring at an accelerating rate in the globalising business environment. Business successes and survival are becoming more and more difficult to ensure. The worldwide aerospace manufacturing companies are facing rapid and often unanticipated changes in their business environment. In order to survive and achieve business success, there is a need for aerospace manufacturing organisations to develop and improve their supply chain agility to meet ever-changing demands and globalised competition. This paper presents a framework to assist the formulation of business strategies with respect to supply chain agility. Three sets of audit tools are developed to assess the turbulence level in a supply chain and the supply chain|s capabilities and performances in coping with the turbulences. A case study has been carried out in an aerospace company in which the company|s supply chain agility was assessed and analysed by applying the framework and the audit tools. The results of the case study were used to assist the company in developing its supply chain strategies.

Keywords: supply chain agility; supply chain development; manufacturing agility; agility assessment; strategy decision making; aerospace manufacturing; supply chain management; SCM; agile supply chains; agile systems.

DOI: 10.1504/IJASM.2006.010941

International Journal of Agile Systems and Management, 2006 Vol.1 No.3, pp.244 - 257

Published online: 19 Sep 2006 *

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