Agility in PDS supply chain through ICT intervention a select diagnostic analysis

Abstract

Continuous technological advancements, and empowered customers, with ever changing needs, are driving organizations to incorporate agility. Supply chains are crucial links to provide desired products to market in a timely and cost effectively manner. Hence, Supply Chain Agility (SCA) has become a prominent capability businesses are trying to acquire. The innovations in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has not only enabled real time transfer of information but also has provided a platform for the voice of customers and citizens who in turn pressurize businesses as well as government to incorporate agility. Government s agility can be conceptualized in terms of the ability to drive policy changes newlinebased on the changing needs of the target population. However, the policy changes will newlinedeliver desirable performance outcomes only if policy implementation keeps pace with policy formulation. This demands quick responsiveness to change by the implementation partners. Various government and non-government organizations constitute these implementation partners, especially in case of government controlled welfare services. Hence, studying the phenomena of SCA is relevant in such context. The present study thus aims to explore the development of SCA in government controlled welfare service program, taking motivation from the ICT interventions in Chhattisgarh Public Distribution System (PDS). For this, we first developed our conceptual understanding about SCA, which is concluded as an inter-organizational capability. We then focus on the Fair Price Shops (FPSs), the point of change intervention for Chhattisgarh s recent project- CORE PDS. CORE PDS was an attempt by the government to make the PDS supply chain agile by bringing transparency and flexibility among the FPS network within the state. The relationship between the government and retail outlets or FPSs, is specifically targeted, as FPS can be the weakest link in the PDS supply chain owing to their localized placements, lack of professionalism and limited