In many branches, hierarchical SCs with long-term predetermined suppliers’
structures and product programmes evolve into flexible dynamic SC structuring
(Sarkis et al. 2007). Nowadays, agile organizations with heterogeneous structures,
core competences, buyer-focused cells and extensive application of Web services
are being increasingly introduced in practice (van Donk and van der Vaart 2007).
Collin and Lorenzin (2006) emphasize that “an agile SC is a basic competitive requirement
in the industry and building agility into operations requires a continuous
planning process together with customers”