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Agile manufacturing: an evolutionary review of practices

Author

Listed:
  • Angappa Gunasekaran
  • Yahaya Y. Yusuf
  • Ezekiel O. Adeleye
  • Thanos Papadopoulos
  • Dharma Kovvuri
  • Dan’Asabe G. Geyi

Abstract

Academics and practitioners have long acknowledged the importance of agile manufacturing and related supply chains in achieving firm sustainable competitiveness. However, limited, if any, research has focused on the evolution of practices within agile manufacturing supply chains and how these are related to competitive performance objectives. To address this gap, we reviewed the literature on an agile manufacturing drawing on the evolution of manufacturing agility, attributes of agile manufacturing, the drivers of agile manufacturing, and the identification of the enabling competencies deployable for agile manufacturing. Our thesis is that agile manufacturing is at the centre of achieving a sustainable competitive advantage, especially in light of current unprecedented market instability coupled with complex customer requirements. In this regard, the emphasis which agile manufacturing places on responsive adaptability would counter the destabilising influence of competitive pressures on organisations performance criteria. We have identified five enabling competencies as the agility enablers and practices of agile manufacturing, that is, transparent customisation, agile supply chains, intelligent automation, total employee empowerment and technology integration, and further explored their joint deployment to create positive multiplier effects. Future research directions were also provided with respect to the operationalisation of the five identified enablers and the potential for emergent technologies of big data, blockchain, and Internet of Things to shape future agile manufacturing practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Angappa Gunasekaran & Yahaya Y. Yusuf & Ezekiel O. Adeleye & Thanos Papadopoulos & Dharma Kovvuri & Dan’Asabe G. Geyi, 2019. "Agile manufacturing: an evolutionary review of practices," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(15-16), pages 5154-5174, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:tprsxx:v:57:y:2019:i:15-16:p:5154-5174
    DOI: 10.1080/00207543.2018.1530478
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    Cited by:

    1. Honorine Harlé & Pascal Le Masson & Benoit Weil & Tony Bourlier & Yann Veslin, 2023. "What Does The Factory’s Suggestion Box Reveal? An analysis of the design capabilities of a train maintenance center from its idea management system," Post-Print hal-03807883, HAL.
    2. Abderahman Rejeb & Karim Rejeb & Steve Simske & Horst Treiblmaier, 2021. "Blockchain Technologies in Logistics and Supply Chain Management: A Bibliometric Review," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-28, October.
    3. Dubey, Rameshwar & Bryde, David J. & Dwivedi, Yogesh K. & Graham, Gary & Foropon, Cyril, 2022. "Impact of artificial intelligence-driven big data analytics culture on agility and resilience in humanitarian supply chain: A practice-based view," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    4. El-Khalil, Raed & Mezher, Mohamad Ali, 2020. "The mediating impact of sustainability on the relationship between agility and operational performance," Operations Research Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 7(C).
    5. Ciampi, Francesco & Faraoni, Monica & Ballerini, Jacopo & Meli, Francesco, 2022. "The co-evolutionary relationship between digitalization and organizational agility: Ongoing debates, theoretical developments and future research perspectives," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    6. Gullelala Jadoon & Ikram Ud Din & Ahmad Almogren & Hisham Almajed, 2020. "Smart and Agile Manufacturing Framework, A Case Study for Automotive Industry," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-13, November.
    7. Guo, Daqiang & Li, Mingxing & Lyu, Zhongyuan & Kang, Kai & Wu, Wei & Zhong, Ray Y. & Huang, George Q., 2021. "Synchroperation in industry 4.0 manufacturing," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 238(C).
    8. Dutta, Pankaj & Choi, Tsan-Ming & Somani, Surabhi & Butala, Richa, 2020. "Blockchain technology in supply chain operations: Applications, challenges and research opportunities," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    9. Panagiotis Reklitis & Damianos P. Sakas & Panagiotis Trivellas & Giannis T. Tsoulfas, 2021. "Performance Implications of Aligning Supply Chain Practices with Competitive Advantage: Empirical Evidence from the Agri-Food Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-21, August.
    10. Frolov, Daniil, 2021. "Transplantation of economic institutions: a post-institutional theory (expanded version)," MPRA Paper 108707, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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