Evaluating reliability and validity of lean, agile and leagile supply chain constructs in Indian manufacturing industry

Supply chain management (SCM) strategy is framed on the basis of competitive strategy (CS) of the firm. Three supply chain strategies (SCS) are evident in SCM literature: cost efficiency, time responsiveness and hybrid of the two. For each of these strategies, three types of supply chains are prescribed: lean, agile and leagile, respectively. Thus, for a firm to achieve strategic alignment between CS and SCS, it is a matter of utter importance to focus on relevant constructs. However, there is a deficiency of standard constructs for these types of supply chains in the SCM literature. Thus, this article addresses the issue of lack of standard constructs in frameworks of lean, agile and leagile supply chain. This objective is achieved by evaluating reliability and validity of lean, agile and leagile supply chain constructs in Indian manufacturing industry. Principle component analysis is performed on these constructs to find out the pillars of each type of supply chain followed by evaluating reliability and validity of these pillars to establish the underlying constructs. Finally, using the results of the study, a framework for lean, agile and leagile supply chain is proposed.