Survey-Based Studies of the Agility Construct in the Healthcare Sector: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

As a dynamic capability, agility has been extensively examined within manufacturing settings due to the industry’s dynamics and the imperative for rapid adaptation to unforeseen market changes. Similarly, service sectors such as healthcare also confront significant unpredictability, underscoring the necessity for agile capacities. Furthermore, healthcare organizations may require guidance in formulating strategies to enhance their agility. This study systematically appraised peer-reviewed empirical investigations centered on agility within the healthcare domain. This assessment delved into the various degrees of agility scrutinized in healthcare-focused research, the methodologies employed, the facets of agility assessed in each study, and their correlations with other factors. The study adopted the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. The insights from the analysis identified four predominant categorizations of agility within healthcare entities: organizational agility, workforce agility, supply chain agility, and treatment agility. While diverse survey instruments have been used to gauge agility, certain consistent themes emerge across the dimensions and items of these tools. The reviewed empirical frameworks predominantly concentrate on organizational and supply chain agility, leaving the constructs of workforce and treatment agility as fertile grounds for further explorations.