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Vol. 12 No. 07 (2025)
International Multidisciplinary Journal for Research & Development

Articles

Integrating Agile, Leagile, and Intelligent Supply Chain Practices: A Comprehensive Theoretical and Operational Framework

Published 2025-07-31

  • John M. Harrington

John M. Harrington
Global Institute of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, London, UK

Abstract

The contemporary global business environment demands highly adaptive, responsive, and efficient supply chains that can withstand volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. This research article provides an extensive, theoretically grounded, and operationally relevant synthesis of agile, leagile, and intelligent supply chain paradigms. Drawing upon extensive literature spanning logistics management, agile manufacturing, digital intelligence, and sustainability, this study examines the integration of these frameworks in contemporary supply chain operations. The study identifies the critical components of agility, including flexibility, responsiveness, and collaboration, and analyzes their interaction with lean principles to form hybrid leagile models. Further, this article explores the transformative role of digital intelligence, including IoT and AI-driven systems, in enhancing decision-making, inventory management, and risk mitigation. Methodologically, this research employs a comprehensive literature synthesis approach, combining theoretical constructs, case analyses, and empirical findings from multiple international contexts. Findings underscore that firms adopting agile-leagile-intelligent supply chain models demonstrate superior performance in responsiveness, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency while mitigating environmental and systemic risks. The discussion elaborates on operational implications, theoretical contributions, and strategic pathways for managers aiming to achieve end-to-end supply chain resilience. Limitations and future research avenues, particularly in digital intelligence integration and risk-averse air cargo systems, are also articulated. This article contributes a holistic framework that bridges classical supply chain theory with contemporary technological and operational innovations, providing actionable insights for practitioners and scholars alike.

Keywords

Agile supply chain, Leagile integration, Digital intelligence, Inventory management, Logistics optimization, Risk mitigation

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