Applying the Concept of Paradox to a Trade-off Puzzle: A Framework

The flexibility trade-off is one of the most enduring operations management puzzles. This paper applies a theoretical framework of paradox to a trade-off puzzle through a case study. It is revealed that the interaction of paradoxical elements is the underlying drive of the trade-off, demonstrating different formats at different organizational levels and recursive layers. The employment of Causal Loop Diagramming reinforces the understanding of coevolving dynamics in the case and the trade-off puzzle.