Agile Product Development by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as a Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Elaboration of Socio-Technical Systems Theory

Jayanth Jayaram () and Atanu Chaudhuri ()
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Jayanth Jayaram: University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Atanu Chaudhuri: Durham University

Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, 2025, vol. 26, issue 4, No 3, 775-794

Abstract: Abstract This research aims to understand how social and infrastructural enablers support the technical capabilities of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that faced unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. We examine the above relationships between those using conventional versus additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. Using socio-technical systems as a theoretical lens, in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants from six COVID-19 emergency response projects led by SMEs. The findings show that the social capabilities of human ingenuity, the resourcefulness of the network, and on-the-feet problem solving contribute positively to agile product development. Logistical support, as an infrastructural enabler, enhanced the technical capabilities for agile product development in all the studied cases, regardless of the manufacturing technology employed. However, the relationship between social capabilities, infrastructural enablers, and technical capabilities varied with AM versus conventional manufacturing. Regarding theoretical contributions, the theory of Socio-Technical Systems (STS) is significantly advanced by embedding a dynamic capabilities view into the socio-technical core of STS, specifically for pandemic response. Implications for supply chain resilience are offered.

Keywords: Additive manufacturing; Agile product development; COVID-19; Flexibility; SME; Socio-technical systems; Theory elaboration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s40171-025-00460-0

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