Capability assessment of Army spare parts replenishment system: Suitability for a dynamic time separated lean-agile supply

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the current spare parts replenishment system of the Army. This exercise is being done with an aim to assess the capability of the current system to implement a time separated lean-agile system of spare parts replenishment.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a survey conducted on people in managerial ranks, working in the field of military logistics. The survey is thereafter summarised to ascertain the current status of spare parts replenishment system in the Army. The findings of the survey are elaborated at the end of the paper.

Findings

The strengths of the current spare parts replenishment system are highlighted. This is followed with the weaknesses of the system in implementing a dynamic lean-agile replenishment system.

Originality/value

The paper is aimed at assessing the capability of the current spare parts replenishment system and its ability to adapt to a novel replenishment system that is lean in peacetime to save money and agile during war to increase reliability of equipment achieved by a certainty of supply. The survey conducted on the persons actually involved in this logistics reveals areas that need emphasis in order to achieve such a time separated lean-agile replenishment system.

Citation

Sharma, P., Kulkarni, M.S. and Parlikad, A. (2017), "Capability assessment of Army spare parts replenishment system: Suitability for a dynamic time separated lean-agile supply", Benchmarking: An International Journal, Vol. 24 No. 5, pp. 1166-1189. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-11-2015-0113