Understanding the Role of Agility and Responsiveness Capabilities in Achieving Supply Chain Performance: The Case of Manufacturing Companies

Abstract

The supply chain agility concept has been identified as one of the most important issues in the supply chain management literature. However, despite the popularity of the concept, many concept attributes are largely unexplored. The mediating role of the operational capabilities, in particular the supply chain responsiveness, in the link between the supply chain agility and the improvement of the supply chain performance, is a field that is lacking in research. This research aims to deepen the theory by addressing this gap in the supply chain agility literature. The data for this study were collected through a field survey from a final sample of 131 respondents from manufacturing companies in Morocco. An online questionnaire containing items measuring constructs of interest was developed. The theoretical model was evaluated using structural equation modeling. The results indicate that supply chain agility has an indirect and positive impact on supply chain performance in the presence of supply chain responsiveness. In addition, the results provide empirical evidence for a full mediation of supply chain responsiveness in the link between supply chain agility and supply chain performance in an uncertain environment. This study demonstrates why careful consideration should be made when deciding what dynamic capabilities should be developed and, therefore, what operational capabilities will be generated or renewed. Companies that successfully build this relationship benefit in terms of improving the performance of both the global supply chain and its members, enabling them to achieve sustainable competitive advantages.