The controversy about how to structure flexibility
Journal
International Journal of Operations and Production Management
ISSN
0144-3577
Type
conference paper
Date Issued
2007-06-17
Author(s)
Editor(s)
Acur, Nuran
Abstract
Many authors have contributed to the research about flexibility. Result is, that the field is unstructured and various, not well defined types of flexibility exist. Now, the important question rises if the different types of flexibility can be sorted to structure the field of flexibility. To answer this question, we based our research on cases involving five manufacturing companies in Switzerland. With each company we have discussed the main flexibility types mentioned in literature and have analyzed which types of flexibility the companies address. Based on the analysis we have examined which types of flexibility are influencing the others. We analyzed the data and found out that some sort of hierarchy exists but the hierarchy is not as explicit as stated in literature. We found four groups in which the different types of flexibility can be sorted, namely strategy, resources, structure and human resources.
Language
English
Keywords
flexibility
strategy
structure
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
Yes
Book title
Managing operations in an expanding Europe
Publisher
Emerald
Publisher place
Bingley
Event Title
14th European Operations Management Association (EurOMA) Conference
Event Location
Ankara
Event Date
17.-20.06.2007
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
43788