Agile Business Management in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This mini-review examines the pharmaceutical industry’s shift from rigid, linear operating models toward agile business management. Drivers include personalised medicine, global health crises (e.g., pandemics), and increasing supply-chain complexity. We summarise how agile principles are applied across the value chain, particularly in supply chain, manufacturing, and project management and how enabling technologies (e.g., IoT) support these applications. We also highlight barriers specific to highly regulated environments, including GMP-driven documentation and traceability, cultural inertia, and capability gaps. Finally, we discuss pragmatic adoption strategies, emphasising hybrid models (e.g., Agile–Stage-Gate) and selective implementation of agile practices. Pure agile adoption is often constrained in regulated settings; however, hybridisation and targeted practices can improve responsiveness, resilience, and long-term performance. Keywords: Agile business management; Supply chain agility; Regulatory compliance; Hybrid governance models; Personalised medicine
Authors: Nastaran Tashakori, Gökhan Faikoğlu
Institutions: Istanbul University, Okan University
Language: English
Subfield: Management of Technology and Innovation
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7124248788