New flexibility drivers for manufacturing, supply chain and service operations
Journal
International Journal of Production Research
Journal Volume
56
Journal Issue
10
Pages
3359-3368
Date Issued
2018
Author(s)
Abstract
Increasing product proliferation, customisation, competition and customer expectations, as well as supply side disruptions, pose significant challenges to firm operations. Such challenges require improved efficiency and resilience in manufacturing, service and supply chain systems. New and innovative flexibility concepts and models offer a prospective route to such operational improvements. Several emerging issues in flexibility, such as risk and uncertainty management, environmental sustainability, optimal strategies under competition, optimal operations with strategic consumer behaviours are being examined in this regard. This overview provides a concise review of these critical research issues, and discusses related papers featured in this special issue. Four major flexibility drivers are classified: disruption risks, resilience and the ripple effect in the supply chain; digitalisation, smart operations and e-supply chains; sustainability and closed-loop supply chains; and supplier integration and behavioural flexibility. ? 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Subjects
flexibility; flexible manufacturing; Industry 4.0; manufacturing systems; ripple effect; service supply chain; supply chain coordination; supply chain management; supply chain risk management
SDGs
Other Subjects
Chains; Industry 4.0; Manufacture; Risk management; Supply chain management; Sustainable development; flexibility; Flexible manufacturing; Ripple effects; Service supply chains; Supply chain coordination; Supply chain risk management; Flexible manufacturing systems
Publisher
Taylor and Francis Ltd.
Type
editorial