A theoretical framework for analyzing the dimensions of manufacturing flexibility

摘要: Abstract The competitive environment of today has generated an increased interest in flexibility as a response mechanism. While the potential benefits are familiar, concept itself is not well-understood. Neither practitioners nor academics agree upon, or know, how can be gauged measured its totality. Consequently, this study seeks to provide framework for understanding complex and create theoretical foundation development generalizable measures manufacturing flexibility. With objective mind, we first critically examine diverse streams literature define four constituent elements flexibility: range-number (R-N), range-heterogeneity (R-H), mobility (M), uniformity (U). R-H element new, been proposed before prior literature. These applied consistently different types dimensions Definitions 10 pertaining thus obtained. definitions serve dual purpose. First, they capture domain Second, show these used generate scale items, thereby facilitating measures. Several research avenues that explored once such developed also highlighted.