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Definitions and linkages between operational and strategic flexibilities

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  • De Toni, Alberto
  • Tonchia, Stefano

Abstract

This paper aims at clarifying the concept of strategic flexibility, starting from that much more common of manufacturing flexibility (or operational one). After characterizing the dimensions of the latter, a classification of strategic flexibility is presented which distinguishes four categories. The measures of strategic flexibility are also investigated. Then two analogies are pointed out with the operational flexibility. The first, of the cause-effect type, is on two levels: at the business level, the operational flexibility estimates the variation of practices, while the strategic flexibility measures the effect obtained on performances; at the corporate level, the operational flexibility estimates the variation of competences, while the strategic flexibility evaluates the change in business. The second analogy, related to the classification variables, permits the main types of operational and strategic flexibilities to be placed in a single framework. So this study seeks to provide a framework--which has not been proposed in prior literature--for analyzing and evaluating the correlated concepts of operational and strategic flexibilities, to create a theoretical foundation for future research and empirical testing.

Suggested Citation

  • De Toni, Alberto & Tonchia, Stefano, 2005. "Definitions and linkages between operational and strategic flexibilities," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 33(6), pages 525-540, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jomega:v:33:y:2005:i:6:p:525-540
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    Cited by:

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    2. Marta Pérez Pérez & Ana María Serrano Bedia & María Concepción López Fernández, 2016. "A review of manufacturing flexibility: systematising the concept," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(10), pages 3133-3148, May.
    3. Muhammad Awais & Amanat Ali & Muhammad Sajid Khattak & Muhammad Irfanullah Arfeen & Muhammad Azam I. Chaudhary & Aleena Syed, 2023. "Strategic Flexibility and Organizational Performance: Mediating Role of Innovation," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(2), pages 21582440231, June.
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    5. Pradeep Kumar & Sasadhar Bera & Tanusree Dutta & Shibashish Chakraborty, 2018. "Auxiliary Flexibility in Healthcare Delivery System: An Integrative Framework and Implications," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 19(2), pages 173-186, June.
    6. Allam Yousuf & Hossam Haddad & Miklos Pakurar & Serhii Kozlovskyi & Anastasiia Mohylova & Oksana Shlapak & Felfoldi Janos, 2019. "The Effect of Operational Flexibility on Performance: A Field Study on Small and Medium-sized Industrial Companies in Jordan," Montenegrin Journal of Economics, Economic Laboratory for Transition Research (ELIT), vol. 15(1), pages 47-60.
    7. Roberto Gomes de Mattos & Fabricio Oliveira & Adriana Leiras & Abdon Baptista de Paula Filho & Paulo Gonçalves, 2019. "Robust optimization of the insecticide-treated bed nets procurement and distribution planning under uncertainty for malaria prevention and control," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 283(1), pages 1045-1078, December.
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    9. Main Naser Alolayyan & Khairul Anuar Mohd Ali & Fazli Idris, 2011. "The Impact Of Operational Flexibility On Hospital Performance In Jordanian Hospitals - Some Empirical Evidences," Journal of Global Management, Global Research Agency, vol. 2(1), pages 39-54, July.
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    12. Liu, Yi & Li, Yuan & Wei, Zelong, 2009. "How organizational flexibility affects new product development in an uncertain environment: Evidence from China," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 120(1), pages 18-29, July.

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