Creating flex‐lean‐agile value chain by outsourcing

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the characteristics of flexible, agile and lean supply chains and establish, by factor analysis, that outsourcing can be a key intervention achieving the triple objective of flexibility, agility and leanness. Design/methodology/approach The paper is a blend of theoretical framework and practical application and employs structural analysis to draw an interventional roadmap to facilitate value chain outsourcing. Findings The paper finds that by outsourcing activities processes, organizations can deliver better value to the customer. Originality/value The paper is of value in identifying the variables for effective value chain outsourcing.