The Concept of Dedicated Agility: A Literature Review and Research Framework
Purpose: The aim of this research was to propose a solution that would enable enterprises to adapt to the changing conditions of manufacturing operations and improve the management of information and material flow within the pro¬duction network. It was assumed that this improvement would be achieved by building and analysing a model that would enable achieving a dedicated level of agility within the production network. Design/Methodology/Approach: The concept was based on estimating the variability of impact factors and the balance between the benefits and costs incurred in achieving agility. Factors were modified through three parameters: the allo¬wable range of deviations, the dynamics of change, and the speed of adaptation. The foundation of the proposed solution is the implementation of a feedback mechanism, deployed at the level of an individual enterprise, but also at the level of the production network. A multi-level control system was created, encompassing the planning and supervision of pro¬duction activities of multiple business entities. It was assumed that data transfer between entities would be subordinated to the data structure of integrated IT systems. It was assumed that material flow destabilization in the production network could be mitigated through a harmonious flow of information between organizational units and business entities within the network. Findings: In response to the challenges of the VUCA environment, the author proposed a model that is a three-step approach to creating a dedicated level of agility in the production network. Practical Implications: The proposed solution enables enterprises to adapt to the changing conditions of manufacturing operations, but also allows for adjustments to the network's agility level. It leads to the identification of required technical and material resources, essential intangible assets, and necessary human resources, by balancing the benefits with the costs incurred by network enterprises in connection with manufacturing operations. Originality/Value: The proposed methodology allows for tuning the level of agility of the production network based on balancing benefits with costs and the use of feedback between planning and supervising the production activities of many economic entities.