Mapping Information Systems Flexibility with Organization’s Manufacturing Strategy

A review of the literature reveals that the concept of flexibility cannot be considered complete unless it is simultaneously studied and implemented for all major functional areas within a manufacturing organization. This includes the various supply chain activities supported by an efficient and flexible information system (IS) which can capture and respond to the information needs at the correct time when demanded. Organizational IS forms an integral part of the firm’s operating strategy and supports all strategic decisions taken by the organizations. A developed IT strategic grid suggests that the role of IS has shifted from a mere operational support element to a strategic enabler for competitive success. IS flexibility is conceptualized by various authors in the past. The gap lies in the fact that no prominent studies exists that establish the specific IS flexibility dimensions or characteristics to different manufacturing organizations based on their operating strategy. In our research framework, thirteen dimensions of IS flexibility namely Modularity, IS Integration, IS Interoperability, Loose Coupling, Scalability, IS Continuity, Compatibility, IS Connectivity, Rapidity, Facility, Modernity, IT Personnel Competency, and Reconfigurability extensively researched in literature are taken into consideration and related to two specific manufacturing strategies, i.e., defenders or cost leadership and prospectors or differentiators in the form of related hypotheses. The results of the empirical investigation support the developed theoretical framework.