Understanding cognitive aspects in measuring flexibility of a manufacturing supply chain

The flexibility of a supply chain is its most important capability for competing in current dynamic global market with constant change and uncertainty. Understanding the nature of flexibility is the first and a decisive step for further measurement and improvement. This paper, first of all, explores the characteristics of current business environment. This further necessitates a supply chain as a basic unit for competition. As business uncertainty and turbulence increase, the needs for measuring and improving supply chain flexibility are justified. The authors go further to discuss cognitive aspects of supply chain flexibility. A framework for measuring supply chain flexibility is presented. In order to quantify supply chain flexibility, artificial intelligent methods are proposed.