Uncertainty, Flexibility and Operational Performance of Companies: Modelling From the Perspective of Managers

Abstract

Este artigo pode ser copiado, distribuído, exibido, transmitido ou adaptado desde que citados, de forma clara e explícita, o nome da revista, a edição, o ano e as páginas nas quais o artigo foi publicado originalmente, mas sem sugerir que a RAM endosse a reutilização do artigo. Esse termo de licenciamento deve ser explicitado para os casos de reutilização ou distribuição para terceiros. Não é permitido o uso para fins comerciais. ADILSON ADERITO SILVAUniversidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie (UPM), São Paulo -SP, Brazil. FERNANDO COELHO MARTINS FERREIRA ABSTRACTPurpose: The purpose of this study is to propose a model to estimate how uncertainty, flexibility, and operational performance are related. The assumption is that competition in the current business environment has been broadening consumers' options. These options have brought uncertainty to companies regarding the adoption of operational strategies, particularly to adjustment of flexibility to their competitive priorities. Originality/value: The research designed a theoretical model that presents convergent, discriminant validity, and good reliability. Therefore, it is possible to estimate the perceived uncertainty, flexibility, and operational performance from a set of evaluated companies. Design/methodology/approach: Data was collected out of managers and analysts from the financial, energy, and manufacturing sectors. The uncertainty was estimated by taking into account the state, the effect, and the choice of responses from changes in business environment. In addition, it was considered the flexibility and the performance within the operational indicators. Findings: The results reveal moderate managers' ability to predict the state of the environment and its effects on their organization's activities. Also they show that uncertainty does not influence the operational performance when mediated by flexibility. Thus, in a moderate environmental stability, flexibility can be adopted to mitigate the effects of uncertainty on operational performance. KEYWORDSUncertainty. Operational performance. Flexibility. Business environment. Proactive strategy.Uncertainty, flexibility and operational performance of companies: modelling from the perspective of managers Revista de

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