The Classification of Agility Enablers for the Auto-Part Industry Suppliers

In nowadays' turbulent business environment, perhaps it could be said that the role and importance of achieving the agility paradigm requirements in order to achieve excellence in all levels: individual, organizational and supply chain to manufacturing enterprises is more vital than other new emerged contributions. In the present study the agility enablers for automotive industry suppliers identified and classified. All of the small and medium enterprises producing auto- parts as suppliers in this industry in North West of the country consisted as the study population. The statistical sampling selected among the heads of this companies, also specialists, researchers and university professors which have executive or strong research history on the agility of the supply chain was conducted as a group of experts. The sample number using the Cochran relation for statistical community with an undisclosed amount of population, 265 people were identified. Data by using the questionnaire consists of 36 items has been collected. Its validity and reliability investigated by content validity and test-retest reliability using Spearman's correlation coefficient (r =0.814) has been reviewed and approved respectively. The results of exploratory factor analysis identified all of 36 indicators as the enablers of agility for suppliers in the auto-part industry. The results of exploratory factor analysis, classified indicators in the form of eight components, as follows: "management capabilities, flexible human resources, improving time performance, information technology methods, reduction of destabilizing factors, improving product quality, cost effectiveness and dynamic approach to the customers", with regard to the factor names constructing each of the component.