Meta-analysis of the effect of supply chain agility on relational and operational performance with the moderating role of industry type

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD candidate, Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.

2 Professor, Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.

3 Associate prof, Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.

Abstract

Abstract
A considerable amount of research has been conducted to explore the concept of supply chain agility as the primary management strategy for achieving a competitive edge in a constantly changing and unstable business environment. Much of this research has focused on understanding the impact of supply chain agility on performance outcomes. However, the findings from empirical studies have been scattered and, in many cases, contradictory in terms of the functional implications of supply chain agility.
To address this, it is crucial to consolidate and compare the results of these experimental studies using a meta-analysis approach. Therefore, the present research aimed to examine the influence of supply chain agility on both relational and operational performance by employing a meta-analysis approach. Nineteen final studies were identified and their information was entered into the CMA2 software based on the Prism protocol.
The results clearly demonstrate that supply chain agility significantly affects relational and operational performance, with a stronger influence observed on relational performance compared to operational performance. Furthermore, the analysis conducted identified the moderating variable of the type of industry, where the agility of the supply chain has a particularly strong impact on relational and operational performance within unique industries.
 
 
Introduction
Extensive research has been conducted since 1993, when agility was first conceptualized by Goldman, to study the impact of supply chain agility on performance. The studies have used different indicators to measure performance, some of which overlap with each other while others do not.
Moreover, the findings regarding the influence of supply chain agility on performance outcomes have been inconsistent and contradictory. Therefore, there is a need for a study that summarizes and compares the results of previous studies, in order to resolve these contradictions and determine the specific consequences associated with supply chain agility. It is important to understand whether supply chain agility is functionally related or has a stronger effect on certain outcomes. A systematic review with meta-analysis is a method that can address this research gap.
Tcurrent study aims to answer the following key questions: What are the functional consequences, both relational and operational, of supply chain agility once the variables are operationalized? How does supply chain agility impact each of these performance outcomes? Additionally, what are the moderator variables that affect the causal relationship between supply chain agility and relational as well as operational performance outcomes?
Materials and Methods
The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review through meta-analysis to investigate how supply chain agility affects performance outcomes. Given the large number of studies conducted in this field since the introduction of agility in 1993 by Goldman et al., up until 2023, it is clear that a secondary study is necessary. Therefore, we performed this present meta-analysis study using the Prism protocol to identify high-quality studies related to this topic, with the goal of encompassing all relevant studies conducted until 2023 and resolving any existing contradictions. The Prisma protocol was utilized to identify and select suitable studies for analysis, following a four-stage process of identification, monitoring, eligibility, and inclusion in the analysis dataset.
Throughout the coding process, it became apparent that many studies employed similar scales with different names to measure functional outcomes. When there was a significant overlap in indicators or structures, we compared these studies. To achieve this, we used the MAXQDA software to qualitatively code all functional outcomes from different studies. Overlapping codes were then assigned names and operationalized within a new framework. In order to convert the statistical information into fixed or random effect sizes, the CMA2 software was employed during this systematic review.
 
 
Discussion and Results
The analysis of studies conducted using MAXQDA software revealed that the impact of supply chain agility can be categorized into two main areas: relational and operational performance. The results of a meta-analysis on previous studies confirmed that supply chain agility has a positive effect on operational performance, which was found to be higher than the average level.
Conclusion
In line with the results of the present research, managers and policy makers are suggested to provide the context for the joint use of information and financial resources among supply chain partners. The synergy created in this way increases the speed of the companies' actions in identifying the special needs and demands of the market and provides the possibility of timely response. On the other hand, with the extensive cooperation that the companies will have with each other, they can transform the existing market arena and change the market variables in their favor.

Keywords

References

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