Identifying and ranking the characteristics of agile attitude in the successful implementation of agility in the wooden furniture and decoration industry using the Fuzzy Delphi and Fuzzy FUCOM

The wood industry in Iran is one of the key industries with high potential for the production of products such as furniture and interior decoration. However, this industry faces challenges such as traditional structures, lack of modern skills, and limited use of digital technologies, which hinder its competitiveness in both domestic and international markets. Agile thinking, as a strategic approach, can address these issues by enhancing flexibility, quick response capabilities, and continuous learning, paving the way for sustainable growth. This research aims to identify and rank the characteristics of agile thinking and introduce and localize the necessary tools for successful agility implementation in Iran’s furniture and wood decoration industry. The significance of this topic lies in improving competitiveness, reducing costs, and adapting to environmental and market changes.

This descriptive-survey research, with an analytical approach and practical results, utilizes the fuzzy Delphi and fuzzy Fuzzy Order of Comparison (FOC) methods to identify and weigh the factors of agile thinking. In the first step, 17 main factors were identified through a review of literature and previous studies. These factors included characteristics such as flexibility, continuous learning, failure management, and continuous improvement. Then, using a fuzzy Delphi questionnaire, which was provided to 10 experts in the wood and furniture industry, the factors were confirmed and prioritized. In the fuzzy Delphi process, linguistic terms and triangular fuzzy numbers were used to analyze the data, and after two rounds, 12 factors were finally confirmed. In the next step, the fuzzy FOC method was employed to weigh these factors. This method, using fuzzy pairwise comparisons and analysis of the defined constraints in the model, calculated the final weights of the factors. All calculations were performed using LINGO 18 software.

Flexibility, with a weight of 33.5%, was identified as the most important factor. This factor includes sub-factors such as open-mindedness, adequate information, and adaptability to changes, which play a vital role in responding quickly to environmental changes. Failure management, with a weight of 32.8%, was also a prominent factor and includes components such as accepting failure and constructive criticism, which help in learning from past experiences. Learning new skills (18.2%) focusing on in-service training, digital infrastructure, and skill development enhances the capabilities of employees and organizations. Continuous improvement (15.6%), including time management, strengthening accountability, and creating a trust-based environment, contributes to increasing productivity and quality of organizational processes. Data analysis revealed that flexibility and failure management, especially in dynamic industrial environments like the wood industry, play crucial roles in organizational success. Additionally, employee training and fostering a culture of continuous learning are effective tools for adapting to rapid technological and market changes.

The findings suggest that strengthening the agile mindset, including flexibility, continuous learning, and failure management, can enhance agility in Iran’s wood industry and improve its competitiveness in domestic and international markets. These results emphasize the importance of investing in employee training, developing digital infrastructure, and promoting a culture of accepting failure. Moreover, implementing these approaches can improve organizational performance, increase sustainability, and accelerate the transformation of this industry, paving the way for sustainable growth.