Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management 

About: Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management is an academic journal published by Springer Science+Business Media. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Flexibility (engineering) & Supply chain. It has an ISSN identifier of 0972-2696. Over the lifetime, 437 publications have been published receiving 8629 citations. The journal is also known as: giftjourn@l.

Interpreting the Interpretive Structural Model

Abstract: Interpretive structural modeling (ISM) is a process that transforms unclear and poorly articulated mental models of systems into visible, well-defined models useful for many purposes. The interpretation of links is comparatively weak in ISM; the interpretation of the directed link in terms of how it operates is lacking. This paper is an attempt to interpret the links in the interpretive structural models using the tool of Interpretive Matrix and leads to evolve the framework and methodology of total interpretive structural modeling (TISM). First, an overview of ISM is provided. This is taken-up further by highlighting the need of interpretation of interpretive structural models. In order to evolve the framework of TISM, the tool of Interpretive Matrix is briefly introduced, which is integrated into the methodology of TISM. The basic process of TISM is presented in a step-by-step manner with indicative directions for scaling-up this process. Some tests for validating total interpretive structural models are also proposed. Finally, the basic process of TISM is illustrated with the help of an example in the context of organizational change. This process can be used for conceptualization and theory building in organizational research.

Identification of Flexible Manufacturing System Dimensions and Their Interrelationship Using Total Interpretive Structural Modelling and Fuzzy MICMAC Analysis

Abstract: In today intense turbulent era and crumbling economy flexible practices are key to superior organizational performance. The purpose of this paper is to identify key variables of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) through systematic literature review. Further attempt has been made to resolve debates related to relationship among various constructs of FMS and their relationship using interpretive structural modelling (ISM) and TISM analysis. The result shows that management commitment and management strategy leads to availability of skilled and trained workers and high commitment and motivation. The present study has tried to answer three questions out of six key questions of Whetten (Acad Manag Rev 14(4):490–495, 1989) from his seminal article “What constitutes a theoretical contribution?” i.e. what, how and why. The study has employed ISM, fuzzy MICMAC and TISM to develop a FMS framework and formulated strategy to implement in Indian scenario.

Big Data Analytics: A Review on Theoretical Contributions and Tools Used in Literature

Abstract: The importance of data science and big data analytics is growing very fast as organizations are gearing up to leverage their information assets to gain competitive advantage. The flexibility offered through big data analytics empowers functional as well as firm-level performance. In the first phase of the study, we attempt to analyze the research on big data published in high-quality business management journals. The analysis was visualized using tools for big data and text mining to understand the dominant themes and how they are connected. Subsequently, an industry-specific categorization of the studies was done to understand the key use cases. It was found that most of the existing research focuses majorly on consumer discretionary, followed by public administration. Methodologically, a major focus in such exploration is in social media analytics, text mining and machine learning applications for meeting objectives in marketing and supply chain management. However, it was found that not much focus was highlighted in these studies to demonstrate the tools used for the analysis. To address this gap, this study also discusses the evolution, types and usage of big data tools. The brief overview of big data technologies grouped by the services they enable and some of their applications are presented. The study categorizes these tools into big data analysis platforms, databases and data warehouses, programming languages, search tools, and data aggregation and transfer tools. Finally, based on the review, future directions for exploration in big data has been provided for academic and practice.

Flexible Decision Approach for Analysing Performance of Sustainable Supply Chains Under Risks/Uncertainty

Abstract: Concern related to green and sustainability is growing from past few years in the research area of supply chain management. Collectively, these concerns involves a higher number of interacting factors, which further can multiply complexity by the decrease in visibility of the risks in supply chain operations and so add to its vulnerability. To make supply chain (SC) capable to bear simultaneously regular and risk condition, one requires proactive planning and flexibility in the decisions making. To provide supply chain designers a proactive decision model, this paper proposes to use a flexible decision approach, i.e. Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) for recognizing the combined interactions between factors influencing sustainable risk bearing SC. However, the interpretation of the interactive relationships represented by directed links for the identified factors relatively lacks in the ISM approach, and thus may distort the process of decision making. Therefore, in this study, ISM is extended to the Total Interpretive Structural Modeling (TISM) approach to overcome these issues in interpreting the directed links in the structural model for considered factors. Further, by using relationship analysis, we graphically categorize factors on the basis of their impact on performance. Finally, TISM based the proposed model evaluates the causality and illustrate factors with interpretation of relations via directed links in the form of Interpretive Matrix, and suggests that factors at the bottom level are crucial for sustainability focused chain to build its capability on risks and risk issues. The implications at managerial level and conclusions are presented in the end.