Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the existing knowledge about the relationships between advanced manufacturing technology (AMT), lean manufacturing (LM), agile manufacturing (AM), and business performance. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire-based survey was performed to collect data from 189 Iranian automobile part manufacturers. Statistical analysis of hypothesized relationships was conducted via partial least squares structural equation modeling. Findings AMT significantly contributes to the development of both LM and AM. These manufacturing systems can co-exist in one system, and LM is a precursor to AM. LM contributes to operational performance whereas AM improves marketing performance and financial performance. Research limitations/implications Relying on the cross-sectional data of this research, and lack of generalizability of findings are key limitations. An interesting direction for future research would be to empirically offer a hybrid lean-agile approach and further map the mechanism through which this hybrid approach can be achieved in practice. Practical implications Both LM and AM are information-intensive and highly supported by AMT. They contribute to different aspects of business performance. Pursuing both cost-leadership strategy and product mix flexibility is viable via hybridizing the lean and agile systems. Originality/value This study is among the first to address issues related to the lean-AM relationship among developing countries. This study is unique in the sense it shows the mechanism through which the value of AMT is truly transformed to performance improvement.

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The regulation of T helper (Th)1‐ and Th2‐type cytokine patterns is important in the final outcome of leishmaniasis in human and murine models. We examined the efficacy of garlic therapy or a combination of garlic and an antimonial drug (glucantime) in promoting healing and regulation of Th1/Th2 cytokine patterns in highly susceptible BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania major. Separate groups of infected mice received 20 mg/kg/day garlic, 60 mg/kg/day glucantime or a combination of the two, from day 30 after infection for 2 weeks. An enzyme‐linked immunosorbant assay ( ELISA) was performed on spleen cell culture supernatants for interferon(IFN)‐γ interleukin(IL)‐2, IL‐4 and IL‐10. The results indicate that garlic therapy is more effective than the usual antileishmanial drug in curing the infection. Garlic‐treated mice developed Th1‐type cytokine responses. In contrast, glucantime therapy led to a Th2‐type response in the control group with a lower level of IL‐2. However, a combination of garlic and glucantime treatment was more effective than either treatment alone, and resulted in a Th1‐type response similar to that which developed with garlic treatment. These results suggest that garlic extract in combination with an antimonial drug, may provide effective therapy against L. major. The immunomodulatory properties of garlic were elucidated in terms of shifting the cytokine response to a Th1‐type pattern and therefore causing the protective response.

Uncertainty surrounds all aspects of organizations' lives. We rarely find studies in the field of organization and management not mentioned the phenomenon of environmental uncertainty. Despite the ubiquity of studies around the topic, there are many incompatibilities and inconsistencies in the definition and application of the concept. In this paper we try to classify the main issues and controversies around the topic and review some of the outstanding studies in this regard. As the ultimate goal of studying uncertainty in organization is to face it in the choice of appropriate strategies, we also have a brief review on the impacts of environmental uncertainty on organizational strategic decisions and managers' actions. Finally, we refer to some of the frameworks and approaches that are mainly presented in the field of strategic management for dealing with uncertainty, and resolving the strategy paradox between uncertainty and commitment to strategies.

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