Title: A development of business agility enterprise model for competitive advantage: theory and practice

Authors: Harry W.T. So, Angappa Gunasekaran, Walter W.C. Chung

Addresses: Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong. ' Department of Management, University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300, USA. ' Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong

Abstract: The need for agility has been with some businesses for many years, but it is becoming more of an important factor for more and more businesses. This paper examines the case of an electronic component distributor and develops the business agility enterprise model from theoretical and practical perspectives. It is about how to build the business agility enterprise towards competitive advantage. The data collected are grouped into two major components: |architecture business| and |infrastructure business|. The architecture business helps decrease the length of time that a company takes for a business change along the supply chain. The infrastructure business, on the other hand, lies in the better information shared, better customer relationship, sound financial position and intellectual property owned by the company so that it secures its position and overrides competitors. The dynamics of building the two business dimensions will lead to achieve the competitive advantage of the enterprise.

Keywords: business agility; architecture business; business; enterprise modelling; competitive advantage; infrastructure; electronic component distribution; business change; information sharing; customer relationships; financial position; intellectual property; agile systems.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOM.2006.009027

International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 2006 Vol.2 No.1, pp.42 - 59

Published online: 14 Feb 2006 *

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