Confirmation of a measurement model for manufacturing flexibility development practices

Purpose The study aims to conceptualize and empirically develop an instrument to measure manufacturing flexibility development practices in firms. Design/methodology/approach Using a dataset of 315 responses, a series of procedures were used to develop, modify and refine item measures of constructs to enhance their reliability and validity. Further, following a competing model strategy, alternative models were compared to finalize the manufacturing flexibility development practices. Findings The study develops 36-item instrument capturing eight distinct constructs that influence manufacturing flexibility development, namely operational improvement practices, supplier integration practices, advanced manufacturing technologies, advanced human resource practices, supplier flexibility, customer integration practices, marketing and manufacturing integration practices and product-process technology integration. The derived factors exhibit an adequate level of consistency, reliability and validity. Research limitations/implications Since the external environment is always affected by externalities, tools and technologies used to develop flexibility may also vary over time. Therefore, the developed measurement instrument can be used over the medium term. Further, the statistical generalizability of this study cannot be drawn beyond the scope of this sample. Practical implications The derived items measure and their underlying factor structure facilitates practitioners to identify areas that need attention. Practically, practitioners should strive to improve multiple factors that influence manufacturing flexibility to arrive at the full realization of flexibility. Originality/value This study is probably the first to develop an instrument for assessing the factors influencing the potential of manufacturing flexibility.