IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/futbus/v10y2024i1d10.1186_s43093-024-00405-6.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Disentangling organizational agility from flexibility, adaptability, and versatility: a systematic review

Author

Listed:
  • Eskedar Gizat Desalegn

    (Addis Ababa University
    Kotebe University of Education)

  • Maria João Coelho Guedes

    (Lisbon University
    University of Lisbon)

  • Jorge Filipe Silva Gomes

    (University of Lisbon)

  • Shiferaw Mitiku Tebeka

    (School of Commerce, Addis Ababa University)

Abstract

Organizational agility is the ability of an organization to swiftly and efficiently respond to changes in the organization’s environment. However, the literature demonstrates the interchangeability of agility, flexibility, adaptability, and versatility. Therefore, confusion and conceptual overlap persist. As a result, this study aimed to provide further conceptual clarity about organizational agility by synthesizing organizational agility, flexibility, adaptability, and versatility. A systematic review of 40 articles published in business and management-related journals between 1991 and 2022 in ABI/INFORMS, Since Direct, Emerald databases are employed. Findings from thematic analysis and content analysis using Leximancer text mining analysis show that versatility, adaptability, and flexibility are closely connected with their focus on coping with change in the business environment. However, agility is distinct due to its emphasis on organizational ability, capability, and changeability, as well as how it conceptualizes these attributes. This review contributes to developing organizational agility theory and practice by disentangling organizational agility from related concepts. Specifically, it contributes to scientific communication by referring to the same phenomena as organizational agility. Finally, the study concludes by highlighting future research directions.

Suggested Citation

  • Eskedar Gizat Desalegn & Maria João Coelho Guedes & Jorge Filipe Silva Gomes & Shiferaw Mitiku Tebeka, 2024. "Disentangling organizational agility from flexibility, adaptability, and versatility: a systematic review," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:futbus:v:10:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1186_s43093-024-00405-6
    DOI: 10.1186/s43093-024-00405-6
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1186/s43093-024-00405-6
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1186/s43093-024-00405-6?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Allam Yousuf & Vahid Zeynvand Lorestani & Judit Oláh & János Felföldi, 2021. "Does Uncertainty Moderate the Relationship between Strategic Flexibility and Companies’ Performance? Evidence from Small and Medium Pharmaceutical Companies in Iran," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-17, August.
    2. Nadja Hatzijordanou & Nicolai Bohn & Orestis Terzidis, 2019. "A systematic literature review on competitor analysis: status quo and start-up specifics," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 69(4), pages 415-458, November.
    3. Shukla, Sanjai Kumar & Sushil,, 2020. "Evaluating The Practices Of Flexibility Maturity For The Software Product And Service Organizations," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 71-89.
    4. Phillips, Paul A. & Wright, Claire, 2009. "E-business's impact on organizational flexibility," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 62(11), pages 1071-1080, November.
    5. Ram L. Kumar & Antonis C. Stylianou, 2014. "A process model for analyzing and managing flexibility in information systems," European Journal of Information Systems, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(2), pages 151-184, March.
    6. Luo, Yadong & Zhang, Huan, 2016. "Emerging Market MNEs: Qualitative Review and Theoretical Directions," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 22(4), pages 333-350.
    7. Conz, Elisa & Magnani, Giovanna, 2020. "A dynamic perspective on the resilience of firms: A systematic literature review and a framework for future research," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 38(3), pages 400-412.
    8. Shams, Riad & Vrontis, Demetris & Belyaeva, Zhanna & Ferraris, Alberto & Czinkota, Michael R., 2021. "Strategic agility in international business: A conceptual framework for “agile” multinationals," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 27(1).
    9. Dominik Eckstein & Matthias Goellner & Constantin Blome & Michael Henke, 2015. "The performance impact of supply chain agility and supply chain adaptability: the moderating effect of product complexity," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(10), pages 3028-3046, May.
    10. J. Stuart Evans, 1991. "Strategic Flexibility For High Technology Manoeuvres: A Conceptual Framework," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(1), pages 69-89, January.
    11. Lin, Ching-Torng & Chiu, Hero & Chu, Po-Young, 2006. "Agility index in the supply chain," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 100(2), pages 285-299, April.
    12. Sarta, Andrew & Durand, Rodolphe & Vergne, Jean-Philippe, 2020. "Organizational Adaptation," HEC Research Papers Series 1375, HEC Paris.
    13. Rima Zitkiene & Mindaugas Deksnys, 2018. "Organizational Agility Conceptual Model," Montenegrin Journal of Economics, Economic Laboratory for Transition Research (ELIT), vol. 14(2), pages 115-129.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Sujan Piya & Ahm Shamsuzzoha & Mohammad Khadem & Nasr Al-Hinai, 2020. "Identification of Critical Factors and Their Interrelationships to Design Agile Supply Chain: Special Focus to Oil and Gas Industries," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 21(3), pages 263-281, September.
    2. Morgan, Tyler R. & Roath, Anthony S. & Glenn Richey, Robert, 2023. "How risk, transparency, and knowledge influence the adaptability and flexibility dimensions of the responsiveness view," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    3. Yadong Luo & Rosalie L Tung, 2018. "A general theory of springboard MNEs," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 49(2), pages 129-152, February.
    4. Anna-Theresa Walter, 2021. "Organizational agility: ill-defined and somewhat confusing? A systematic literature review and conceptualization," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 71(2), pages 343-391, April.
    5. Pinho, Celso R.A. & Pinho, Maria Luiza C.A. & Deligonul, Seyda Z. & Tamer Cavusgil, S., 2022. "The agility construct in the literature: Conceptualization and bibliometric assessment," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 517-532.
    6. Antonio Miceli & Birgit Hagen & Maria Pia Riccardi & Francesco Sotti & Davide Settembre-Blundo, 2021. "Thriving, Not Just Surviving in Changing Times: How Sustainability, Agility and Digitalization Intertwine with Organizational Resilience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-17, February.
    7. Aghileh Marzieh & Lima Rui, 2024. "Investigating the relationship between knowledge management and organizational agility in an industrial company," Organization, Technology and Management in Construction, Sciendo, vol. 16(1), pages 186-203.
    8. Ludovica Moi & Francesca Cabiddu, 2021. "Leading digital transformation through an Agile Marketing Capability: the case of Spotahome," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 25(4), pages 1145-1177, December.
    9. Purkayastha, Anish & Karna, Amit & Sharma, Sunil & Bhadra, Dhiman, 2024. "Role of resource investment management and strategic resource deployment capabilities in internationalization-performance relationship," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 30(2).
    10. Chatterjee, Sheshadri & Chaudhuri, Ranjan & Vrontis, Demetris & Dana, Léo-Paul & Kabbara, Diala, 2024. "Developing resilience of MNEs: From global value chain (GVC) capability and performance perspectives," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    11. Ciampi, Francesco & Faraoni, Monica & Ballerini, Jacopo & Meli, Francesco, 2022. "The co-evolutionary relationship between digitalization and organizational agility: Ongoing debates, theoretical developments and future research perspectives," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    12. AlNuaimi, Bader K. & Kumar Singh, Sanjay & Ren, Shuang & Budhwar, Pawan & Vorobyev, Dmitriy, 2022. "Mastering digital transformation: The nexus between leadership, agility, and digital strategy," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 636-648.
    13. Swafford, Patricia M. & Ghosh, Soumen & Murthy, Nagesh, 2008. "Achieving supply chain agility through IT integration and flexibility," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 116(2), pages 288-297, December.
    14. Alfalla-Luque, Rafaela & Machuca, José A.D. & Marin-Garcia, Juan A., 2018. "Triple-A and competitive advantage in supply chains: Empirical research in developed countries," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 48-61.
    15. Christiana Müller & Stefan Vorbach, 2015. "Enabling Business Model Change: Evidence from High-Technology Firms," Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Innovation, Fundacja Upowszechniająca Wiedzę i Naukę "Cognitione", vol. 11(1), pages 53-75.
    16. Yadong Luo & Huan Zhang & Juan Bu, 2019. "Developed country MNEs investing in developing economies: Progress and prospect," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(4), pages 633-667, June.
    17. Weng, David H. & Peng, Mike W., 2018. "Home bitter home: How labor protection influences firm offshoring," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 53(5), pages 632-640.
    18. Judit Oláh & Attila Bai & György Karmazin & Péter Balogh & József Popp, 2017. "The Role Played by Trust and Its Effect on the Competiveness of Logistics Service Providers in Hungary," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-22, December.
    19. H. Mahesh Prabhu & Amit Kumar Srivastava, 2023. "CEO Transformational Leadership, Supply Chain Agility and Firm Performance: A TISM Modeling among SMEs," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 24(1), pages 51-65, March.
    20. Sulu Zhu & Pengqun Gao & Zhen Tang & Ming Tian, 2022. "The Research Venation Analysis and Future Prospects of Organizational Slack," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-23, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:futbus:v:10:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1186_s43093-024-00405-6. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.