The empirical examination of the effect of information technology range and suppliers' order quantity flexibility on the manufacturing firm's flexibilities

摘要

Information technology range, the strategic information flow regarding a manufacturing firm's products, production, logistics and suppliers, has been recognized as the main determinant of the firm's competitive advantages. Studies show that flexible suppliers in terms of order quantity are important for an agile supply chain. In a supply chain loaded with rich information, how these co-existed factors influence a firm's flexibilities is important. Based on responses from 201 U.S. supply chain professionals, this research suggests that: (1) each factor correlates to all flexibilities of a manufacturing firm; (2) the firm's information range moderates the effect of suppliers' order quantity flexibility on the firm's logistics flexibilities.