Title: Analysis of agile supply chain enablers for Indian food processing industries using analytical hierarchy process

Authors: A. Noorul Haq; Varma Boddu

Addresses: Department of Production Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli – 620015, India ' Department of Production Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli – 620015, India

Abstract: Global competition has ensured the need for organisations to become more responsive and more efficient which drives interest in the concept of supply chain agility. Agile supply chain strategies focus on responding quickly to market needs and changing market demands. Agile enablers are enabling technologies and methodologies which are significant to achieve agility. Despite the food sector's importance, food industry has received limited attention in literature in the context of agile strategies. This work proposes an analytical hierarchy process (AHP)-based framework to improve agility of food processing industries. Identification of agile enablers is based on the literature review and experts' opinion. The objective of this paper is to prioritise enablers for agile supply chain using AHP, in the context of Indian food processing industries. Understanding these priorities helps food processing industries develop strategies to improve supply chain agility.

Keywords: agile supply chains; supply chain agility; food industry; analytical hierarchy process; AHP; multicriteria decision making; MCDM; food supply chains; agile enablers; supply chain management; SCM; India; food processing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2015.066780

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2015 Vol.29 No.1/2, pp.30 - 47

Received: 23 Dec 2013
Accepted: 30 Apr 2014
Published online: 05 Jan 2015 *

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