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Figure 1.8 Classification of the changes in the business environment
To describe a supply chain as agile, it must have certain capabilities that will allow
it to cope with these changes. The most frequently presented ones are [49]:
• Responsiveness – the key to achieving agility is the ability to identify the
change correctly and in time.
• Competency – the ability to effectively achieve the goals in the area of agility.
• Flexibility – the ability to use different procedures and tools to achieve the
given objectives.
• Quickness – the ability to perform all activities as quickly as possible.
The supply chain can acquire these skills only if it is well-designed and controlled.
The basis is the maximum sharing of information throughout the supply chain, which
should be completely open and should be done in real time [10]. Sharing information
is important, but it is not the only corner-stone of agility. Other means include [40]:
• Collaborative relationship – creating cooperation within the supply chain
on such a level so that the suppliers and customers develop new products
together.
• Process integration – the supply chain is understood as a single unit with
integrated processes.
• Customer/market sensitivity – the supply chain is able to quickly and effectively
read the market changes and customers’ needs.
Summary of the concept of agility is shown in Figure 1.9. At the beginning,
there are changes in the business environment which affect or may affect the supply
chain. According to their quantity and scope, it is necessary to determine the range of
the required agile capabilities of the supply chain. The supply chain will acquire these
capabilities if it consistently respects the goals of agility and if it applies the designed
basic procedures.