click on star to go back to Joseph Sarkis' HomepageFlexibility in manufacturing has aroused considerable interest among researchers and professionals. However, the vast body of literature on flexibility does not adequately address the kind of flexibility a company needs to meet its strategic objectives, nor how this flexibility can be achieved. We provide an overview of different types of flexibility, provide a classification scheme based on the strategic positioning and goals of the firm, and suggest how these goals may be achieved. We also discuss the importance of such a classification in the design and investment justification of flexible manufacturing.
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