Designing Structural Supply Chain Flexibility

Abstract

In a continuously changing business environment the role of supply chain flexibility is constantly increasing. A flexible supply chain can ensure survival in quickly changing market conditions as well as enable sustainable growth. This thesis explores the topic of supply chain flexibility with focus on structural flexibility due to scarcity of previous research in that area. The purpose of the research is to answer a question: how can companies design structural supply chain flexibility? In an attempt to answer this question design principles for designing structurally flexible supply chains are formulated and tested. This thesis presents original research in the field of supply chain management and contains interesting implications for supply chain practitioners and academics alike