Individual Interpretation and Usefulness of Agility in Work and Everyday Life

Abstract

The global and local changes of the 21st century have brought new types of organisational characteristics to the fore. More and more businesses are looking at how to build more resilient, crisis-resilient organisations and what the real key is. There is a growing consensus that only flexible organisations that are open to change can be truly successful today (and in the future). Flexible organisations, agile companies, promise the greatest growth potential, and there is only one real explanation for this. These companies have the ability to change quickly and flexibly, whereas the vast majority of their competitors have not (or will not) be able to do the same. An organisation that can claim to have the hallmarks of a flexible, business agile organisational culture will have a significant competitive advantage. Agility goes beyond mere flexibility and encompasses a mindset and framework that enables a business to change quickly, make informed decisions and maintain a competitive advantage in a dynamic environment. Agility is also characterised by innovation and the ability to embrace change. We can imagine these at an organisational level, but how well do they translate at an individual level? This research, the results of which this paper seeks to present in more detail, has sought to identify and locate this. In addition to presenting the results, it also takes care to review the literature, which will enable us to draw conclusions about the real meaning and importance of agility, both at the individual and entrepreneurial level.