Information technology role in supply chain's strategic agility

Strategic agility is a business imperative especially in a competitive business environment. Strategic agility has main dimensions strategic sensitivity, strategic response and collective capabilities. Information technology (IT) is of immense importance in enhancing strategic agility especially in supply chain setting. This study notes strategic agility dimensions and thereby highlights IT services required to promote strategic agility. Moreover, a conceptual model of strategic agility in supply chain environment is developed in order to define the precise role of IT to enhance strategic agility. The findings confirm the different roles IT play to promote strategic agility in different parts of the supply chain. In the supply chain downstream IT that promotes strategic sensitivity is most essential and in the supply chain upstream IT that promotes strategic response is most essential. There is also need for IT that promotes collective capabilities throughout the whole chain.