Operationalising agile manufacturing in the digital transformation era: towards a process-oriented, empirically grounded roadmap

Purpose Agility has become essential in manufacturing with the rise of digital transformation and increasing global uncertainty. Yet, turning strategic aims into concrete actions for implementing and improving agility remains underexplored. This study examines how agility can be operationalised in manufacturing. Design/methodology/approach Grounded in dynamic capabilities and contingency theory, the study identifies and classifies agility enablers and examines their relationship with agility improvement processes through a survey of 206 manufacturing practitioners, analysed using clustering and decision trees. Findings Analysis of agility enablers revealed two practitioner groups: agility promoters and agility supporters. Sector, product development projects, and production strategy shaped agility positioning, while respondent characteristics influenced agility perceptions. The study culminates in a roadmap linking enablers and improvement processes to guide agility implementation. Practical implications The study provides a roadmap to support and prioritise agility improvement projects and initiatives in manufacturing. Originality/value The paper integrates theoretical and empirical insights, offering an updated view of agility enablers in the digital transformation context and a structured approach for their implementation. The roadmap clarifies how agility enablers can be translated into structured improvement processes, supporting performance management in manufacturing organisations.