Effect of Lean and Agile Supply Chain Strategies on Supply Chain Responsiveness and Firm Performance: The Mediating role of Postponing Order and Strategic Partnership of Suppliers (Case Study: Automotive Industry)

The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of lean and agile supply chain strategies on supply chain responsiveness and firm performance with the mediating role of postponing the order and strategic partnership of suppliers in the automotive industry in Iran. The population of this study consists of the main automotive firms in Tehran. Morgan table was used to select firms as sample. The research questionnaire was distributed and collected among and from the senior managers of the selected firms based on the convenience sampling method. A standard questionnaire was used to measure variables. The research model was tested based on structural equation modeling and LISREL software. The results showed that lean supply chain strategy has no positive effect on supply chain responsiveness. Agile supply chain strategy has a significant positive effect on supply chain responsiveness. Supply chain response has a significant positive effect on firm performance. The strategy of postponing a customer order has a mediating role in the relationship between agile supply chain strategy and supply chain responsiveness. Finally, the positive effect of lean supply chain strategy on the supply chain responsiveness was confirmed through the mediating role of strategic partnership.