An instrument for measuring supply chain flexibility for the textile and clothing companies

Karen Ka-Leung Moon, Candace Ying Yi and E.W.T. Ngai

European Journal of Operational Research, 2012, vol. 222, issue 2, 191-203

Abstract: Supply chain flexibility (SCF) represents the capability of firms to respond to unanticipated changes in customer needs and competitor actions. Given the growing research interest in flexibility strategies, the development of a valid and reliable instrument to measure organizational responses toward environmental uncertainties or risks is imperative. However, no systematic and scientific research has been conducted to develop such an instrument. The present study adopts a comprehensive and rigorous procedure to develop a multifaceted scale for SCF through an empirical investigation. The results of a confirmatory factor analysis suggest that SCF can be operationalized as a second-order factor model comprising four dimensions, namely: sourcing flexibility, operating system flexibility, distribution flexibility, and information system flexibility. A series of goodness-of-fit indices further demonstrates that this scale is internally consistent, reliable, and valid. The various findings suggested in the present study provide a more succinct picture of SCF, and the well-validated scale could be used as a basis for further research and theoretical groundwork in the field of supply chain management.

Keywords: Supply chain management; Supply chain flexibility; Instrument development; Scale validation; Measurement model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (29)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ejores:v:222:y:2012:i:2:p:191-203

DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2012.04.027

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