Title: Impact of human factor on flexibility and supply chain agility of La Rioja wineries

Authors: Jorge Luis García-Alcaraz; Aidé Aracely Maldonado-Macías; Giner Alor Hernandez; Emilio Jiménez-Macías; Juan Carlos Sáenz Diez Muro; Julio Blanco-Fernández

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering and Manufacturing, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico ' Department of Industrial Engineering and Manufacturing, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico ' Division of Research and Postgraduate Studies, Instituto Tecnológico de Orizaba, Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico ' Department of Electrical Engineering, University of La Rioja, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain ' Department of Electrical Engineering, University of La Rioja, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of La Rioja, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain

Abstract: Human factors play an important role in the success of companies, especially in the performance of production systems. In this research paper, we propose a structural equation model that measures the impact of four human factors (knowledge, abilities, skills, and availability) on production process flexibility and supply chain agility in the wine industry of La Rioja, Spain. The results obtained indicate that these human factors have a direct and positive impact on production process flexibility and supply chain agility. Likewise, they can be indirectly linked to supply chain agility through production process flexibility. Based on these findings, this research encourages La Rioja wineries to jointly work with viticulture and enology programs of Spanish universities. This collaboration would enhance the impact of human factors on the wine industry, which would in turn allow wineries to rapidly and more effectively respond to customer needs. [Received 6 November 2015; Revised 15 October 2016; Revised 7 March 2017; Accepted 10 July 2017]

Keywords: wineries; supply chain; human factors; supply chain agility; production process flexibility; La Rioja.

DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2017.087703

European Journal of Industrial Engineering, 2017 Vol.11 No.5, pp.663 - 682

Published online: 30 Oct 2017 *

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