Lee (2004) discussed three main features for modern supply chains, namely
agility, adaptability and alignment (triple-A). Agility was defined as a response to
short-term changes in demand or supply quickly, handling external disruptions
smoothly. Adaptability was demarcated as an adjustment in supply chain’s design to
meet structural shifts in markets, modifying supply network to newer strategies,
products and technologies. Alignment was conceptualized as the creation of
incentives to achieve better performance throughout supply chain. Simchi-Levi (2010)
also presented the concept of flexibility as the major supply chain strategy in modern
companies.