The paper explores the meaning of flexibility in the context of lean, agile and leagile supply networks and articulates a supply network flexibility framework. Two key ‘sources’ of flexibility are investigated: vendor flexibility and sourcing flexibility. The paper introduces an extension of...

Product proliferation as a result of meeting ever increasing customer demand preferences is well documented. In addition, customisation has been promoted as a source of competitive advantage. Despite these factors, most of the published research in operations and supply chain management has...

In 1999 a paper by Naylor, Naim and Berry on 'leagility' was published in international journal of production economics. The paper has attracted over 100 independent citations from over 60 journals of international standing. This paper explores the testing, exploitation and extension of the...

This paper, through a case study, evaluates postponement as an option to improve supply chain performances in a soluble coffee manufacturer. The main focus of the paper is on the development of a numerical data-driven methodology for quantifying the benefits of postponement obtained from the...

Traditionally, logistics design is driven by a need to reduce costs and improve customer service. Recently, the environmental concerns from transport have been increasingly discussed. The traffic levels and associated energy consumption are influenced by supply chain structure, modal split and...

This paper aims to develop the construct of transport flexibility within the context of supply chain strategy. We assess the role of flexibility in satisfying competitive opportunities while accommodating supply chain uncertainties. In this way, we may then determine the role of different...