TY - JOUR
T1 - Assessing the effectiveness of supply flexibility sources
T2 - An empirical research
AU - Tachizawa, Elcio M.
AU - Giménez Thomsen, C.
PY - 2009/1
Y1 - 2009/1
N2 - This paper focuses on supply flexibility, i.e., the ability of the purchasing function to respond in a timely and cost effective manner to changing requirements of purchased components, in terms of volume, mix and delivery date. It is argued that managerial actions may have different effects on different dimensions of supply flexibility. More specifically, we aim to answer the following research questions: what is the effectiveness of the different supply flexibility sources? Are there any variables that could moderate the relationship between supply flexibility sources and supply flexibility? We perform a regression analysis of the effectiveness of the different supply flexibility sources. In particular, we conduct a stepwise regression, setting the supply flexibility sources as independent variables, and the three dimensions of supply flexibility (identified in the factor analysis) as dependent variables. In order to refine the models and increase the generalisability of the study, some control variables (i.e., firm revenue and flexibility focus) are also included in the regression analysis. Results suggest that each dimension of supply flexibility is associated with a particular group of sources, i.e., the sources used to increase a certain dimension of supply flexibility (e.g., supplier responsiveness) may be ineffective for another dimension (e.g., adaptability).
AB - This paper focuses on supply flexibility, i.e., the ability of the purchasing function to respond in a timely and cost effective manner to changing requirements of purchased components, in terms of volume, mix and delivery date. It is argued that managerial actions may have different effects on different dimensions of supply flexibility. More specifically, we aim to answer the following research questions: what is the effectiveness of the different supply flexibility sources? Are there any variables that could moderate the relationship between supply flexibility sources and supply flexibility? We perform a regression analysis of the effectiveness of the different supply flexibility sources. In particular, we conduct a stepwise regression, setting the supply flexibility sources as independent variables, and the three dimensions of supply flexibility (identified in the factor analysis) as dependent variables. In order to refine the models and increase the generalisability of the study, some control variables (i.e., firm revenue and flexibility focus) are also included in the regression analysis. Results suggest that each dimension of supply flexibility is associated with a particular group of sources, i.e., the sources used to increase a certain dimension of supply flexibility (e.g., supplier responsiveness) may be ineffective for another dimension (e.g., adaptability).
KW - Empirical
KW - Purchasing
KW - Sourcing
KW - Spain
KW - Survey
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=70449597984&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/00207540802146122
DO - 10.1080/00207540802146122
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:70449597984
SN - 0020-7543
VL - 47
SP - 5791
EP - 5809
JO - International Journal of Production Research
JF - International Journal of Production Research
IS - 20
ER -