Strategic Assessment of Agile Manufacturing Capabilities in the Aerospace Sector: An Intuitionistic Fuzzy DEMATEL Approach

Agile manufacturing is increasingly important in aerospace. Firms must respond to technological change, supply-chain disruptions, customization pressure, and strict regulations. However, many manufacturers still lack a clear framework for deciding which agile capabilities to prioritize under uncertainty. This study addresses that gap by analyzing causal relationships among agile manufacturing capabilities in Türkiye’s aerospace industry. It uses an Intuitionistic Fuzzy DEMATEL (IF-DEMATEL) approach based on expert evaluations from the OSTİM Defense and Aviation Cluster (OSSA). The method captures uncertainty in expert judgments. It also identifies capabilities as driver (cause) or dependent (effect) factors within the agility system. The results show that multi-skilled workforce, leadership support, and cross-functional collaboration are the main driver capabilities. These factors shape downstream capabilities such as modular design, supplier responsiveness, real-time data integration, and rapid decision-making. The findings suggest that agile transformation should begin with organizational and human-centered enablers. Technical and process-oriented initiatives should follow. For managers, the study provides a practical prioritization roadmap. It shows where to focus investments first, especially in leadership-enabled change, workforce versatility, and cross-functional coordination. This can improve the success of later digital and operational agility initiatives. The study is limited by its Türkiye-specific expert sample and its reliance on expert-judgment-based causal modeling rather than longitudinal operational performance data. Future research can extend the model through cross-country comparisons, mixed-method validation with firm-level KPIs, and longitudinal analysis of capability interactions across production stages.