8 March 2024 | Soumya Varma, Nitin Singh, Ajit Patra
This paper investigates the research trajectory of Supply Chain Flexibility (SCF) through citation path analysis. Using VOSviewer and Pajek, the study analyzes keyword co-occurrence and citation paths in SCF literature. A comparison is made between the general corpus and the specialized journal, the Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management (GJFSM). The main path identifies key themes: SCF, agility, risk and uncertainties, and a holistic view of the supply chain. The research trajectory has origins in 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Specific research clusters are identified, highlighting areas such as SCF, risk management, performance management, and supply chain uncertainties. The study finds a congruence between GJFSM and the broader SCF corpus. The findings suggest that exploring the intersection of Industry 4.0 and SCF presents promising avenues for future research.
Flexibility is essential for supply chains to respond to dynamic market conditions and unforeseen disruptions. Research shows that flexible supply chains enhance operational agility, reduce lead times, and minimize costs. They also optimize inventory levels, giving firms a competitive edge. SCF enables organizations to make informed production and promotional decisions amid uncertainties. The rise in market competition and technological advancements necessitates greater adaptability for organizations to gain a competitive edge. Manufacturing plants in highly competitive environments exhibit higher flexibility in organizing production processes. Flexible organizations demonstrate better supply chain performance compared to less flexible ones. The study highlights the importance of flexibility in strategic alignment, fostering innovation, and managing complex supply chain ecosystems. SCF is a rapidly growing field of research with significant interest among scholars across various domains. The study fills a gap in understanding the evolution of research in the broader domain of supply chain flexibility.This paper investigates the research trajectory of Supply Chain Flexibility (SCF) through citation path analysis. Using VOSviewer and Pajek, the study analyzes keyword co-occurrence and citation paths in SCF literature. A comparison is made between the general corpus and the specialized journal, the Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management (GJFSM). The main path identifies key themes: SCF, agility, risk and uncertainties, and a holistic view of the supply chain. The research trajectory has origins in 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Specific research clusters are identified, highlighting areas such as SCF, risk management, performance management, and supply chain uncertainties. The study finds a congruence between GJFSM and the broader SCF corpus. The findings suggest that exploring the intersection of Industry 4.0 and SCF presents promising avenues for future research.
Flexibility is essential for supply chains to respond to dynamic market conditions and unforeseen disruptions. Research shows that flexible supply chains enhance operational agility, reduce lead times, and minimize costs. They also optimize inventory levels, giving firms a competitive edge. SCF enables organizations to make informed production and promotional decisions amid uncertainties. The rise in market competition and technological advancements necessitates greater adaptability for organizations to gain a competitive edge. Manufacturing plants in highly competitive environments exhibit higher flexibility in organizing production processes. Flexible organizations demonstrate better supply chain performance compared to less flexible ones. The study highlights the importance of flexibility in strategic alignment, fostering innovation, and managing complex supply chain ecosystems. SCF is a rapidly growing field of research with significant interest among scholars across various domains. The study fills a gap in understanding the evolution of research in the broader domain of supply chain flexibility.