Title: Analysis and measurement of supply chain flexibility

Authors: G.P. Kurien; M.N. Qureshi

Addresses: Lean Operations and Systems, Institute of Management, Christ University, Bangalore, India ' Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha, KSA

Abstract: Supply chain flexibility is a strategic and tactical necessity for sustenance and progress of business enterprises. Measurement of flexibility is therefore necessary for its monitoring, control and communication. The study proposes a framework and a methodology for flexibility performance measurement of supply chains. The framework identifies flexibility objectives and its contributing attributes at four levels of the supply chain and suggests taxonomy of flexibility performance measures. A methodology to prioritise the contribution of each performance attribute to achieve the desired flexibility objective using analytic hierarchy process (AHP) has also been proposed and demonstrated in this study. The research is based on detailed literature-based study and analysis of existing frameworks of flexibility performance measurement in supply chain and expert opinion. The proposed framework is suitable for measurement, monitoring and controlling flexibility in a supply chain in addition to prioritising contributing attributes of flexibility. The research does not test the model but suggests a platform for further development.

Keywords: analytical hierarchy process; AHP; supply chain flexibility; performance measurement; supply chain management; SCM; taxonomy; logistics; flexible supply chains.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2015.069078

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2015 Vol.21 No.1, pp.70 - 91

Received: 30 Sep 2013
Accepted: 04 Jan 2014
Published online: 09 May 2015 *

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