Integrating flexibility and sustainability in supply chains: a practice-based view on leadership, knowledge and digital quality management practices

Purpose This study aims to investigate the synergy between supply chain flexibility and sustainable supply chain management in the manufacturing industry. The study also investigates the roles of leadership practice, knowledge management practice and digital quality management practice in promoting supply chain flexibility that leads to sustainable supply operations from a practice-based perspective. Design/methodology/approach The authors developed a self-administered questionnaire and distributed it amongst manufacturing executives in India. Data were collected from 347 executives. Before moving on to assumptions, such as constant variance and normality, we have analysed them to check for possible nonresponse bias. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to check the data’s reliability and consistency. PLS-SEM was used to validate the constructs and verify the hypotheses. Findings The findings indicate that knowledge practice and digital quality management practice, augmented by effective leadership practice, are positively associated with supply chain flexibility in the manufacturing sector. Further, the findings indicate a positive relationship between flexibility and supply chain sustainability. Originality/value The novelty of this study lies in the developed framework, wherein the authors attempted to rope in both flexibility and sustainability measures. The findings bridge a gap in the literature, especially in the context of the manufacturing industry, by demonstrating how leadership, KNP and DQMP collectively influence SCF and, ultimately, supply chain sustainability.