Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the key barriers to lean implementation in the construction industry using interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and Matrice d’ Impacts Croisés-Multiplication Appliquée á un Classement (MICMAC) analysis. Design/methodology/approach In this study, 13 barriers to lean construction (LC) have been identified through extensive review of literature and subsequently eliciting expert opinions. A proper hierarchy and contextual relationship of the barriers have been developed using ISM, and based on the driving and dependence power of the barriers, three groups of barriers have been found using MICMAC analysis. Findings Cultural differences are found to be the most important barrier to LC, whereas employees’ resistance to change and lack of performance measurement systems are the least significant barriers. Research limitations/implications The work is limited to literature review and experts’ opinion, and the model may be tested using structural equation modeling to verify the relationship of the barriers. Practical implications This ISM-based model would help the decision-makers, researchers and practitioners to prioritize and manage these barriers by better utilizing their resources for eliminating or minimizing the barriers to lean implementation. Originality/value The study of barriers to LC through an ISM-based model and the classification of barriers is a new attempt in the field of construction.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a model for key barriers to lean implementation in the Indian coal mining industry. Design/methodology/approach Interpretive structural modeling (ISM) has been used to develop a proper hierarchy and contextual relationship of key barriers to lean implementation in the Indian coal mining industry through literature review and expert opinion which is followed by the classification of barriers using Matrice d’ Impacts Croisés-Multiplication Appliquée á un Classement (MICMAC) and questionnaire-based survey to validate the ISM model using structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings In this study, 14 key barriers to lean implementation in the Indian coal mining industry have been identified, modeled and analyzed. The lack of top management commitment, financial constraints and lack of inter-departments co-ordination are found to be the most important barriers to lean implementation in the mining industry. The ISM-based model is validated using the SEM. Research limitations/implications The analysis of data represents that relatively more participants were from the mines located in eastern India and the maximum participants were managers and executives holding different levels (lower, middle or upper), although key participants in different mines were encouraged to distribute the survey to other employees also. Practical implications This model on lean barriers would help the decision makers, researchers and practitioners to anticipate potential barriers to lean implementation and support the existing academic research on lean. Accordingly, the focus on the lean barriers can be prioritized for the better utilization of the available resources for eliminating or minimizing the barriers. Originality/value This paper is an original contribution of analysis of the lean barriers in Indian mining industry using the integrated ISM–MICMAC and SEM approach.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine the degree of lean awareness and implementation and to identify the perception on tools, enablers, barriers and potential benefits of lean in the Indian coal mining industry. Design/methodology/approach A systematic review of lean literature and expert opinion was used to design the survey instrument. Data were collected through electronic survey and traditional pencil and paper approach. In order to test the research hypotheses, independent sample t-tests were done. Findings The study reveals that there is a certain degree of lean awareness although the level of lean implementation is still at a nascent stage in the Indian coal mining sector. The main applicable tools, barriers, enablers and benefits have also been identified based on 54 respondents out of 109 suitable respondents. Research limitations /implications In this study, relatively the maximum participants were from the mines located in Eastern India. Thus, a certain level of bias can be anticipated. The findings would help the decision makers, researchers and practitioners to better utilize the available resources for lean implementation and support the existing academic research on lean. Originality/Value The concept of lean in mining industry is relatively a new paradigm and there is a lack of empirical study that explores applicable tools, barriers, enablers and benefits of lean in Indian mining industry. The study addresses this gap in the lean literature.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to quantify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis for the Indian coal mining industry using Fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory. Design/methodology/approach After obtaining 17 factors from literature and expert opinion, an interview questionnaire was designed and tested to assure the content validity of questionnaire. A group of 15 qualified experts consisting of 4 professors from academic institutions and 11 management professionals from mining sector with substantial experience were consulted. Findings The result from causal relationship implied that the decision makers should focus on improving the ability of exploitation and production using quality improvement initiative such as lean production, developing research and development units for clean coal technology and working with strong exporters. This study also finds that foreign investment in mining sector is also a main factor that highly influences other factors. Research limitations/implications The study is based on personal judgments and the shortage of respondents limits the study to ensure the validity. Practical implications The stated strategies both for the government and industry through SWOT analysis could facilitate improved productivity of the Indian coal industry if adopted. Originality/value This paper demonstrates a process for quantitative SWOT analysis for the Indian coal mining industry that can be performed even when there is dependence among factors.

Purpose The purpose of this study is the identification and analysis of key ethical issues of green procurement (GP) and the potential solutions to mitigate the issues in the Indian automobile sector. Design/methodology/approach Based on the literature review and expert elicitation, 23 ethical issues of GP in the Indian automobile industry and 11 solutions to mitigate these issues were identified. This paper explores the ethical issues based on an integrated method consisting of interpretative structural modelling fuzzy Matrice d'Impacts Croisés-Multiplication Appliquée á un Classement, analytical hierarchy process and the solutions to mitigate these issues using fuzzy VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje. Findings The findings suggest that ethical issues such as favouritism towards suppliers and failure to fulfil business objectives by top management are identified as the most significant variables with the highest importance weights, while top management commitment for ethical behaviour is identified as the most potent solution for mitigating the issues. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to the literature review and experts’ opinions. Practical implications The results may help practitioners and researchers to focus on major ethical issues of GP to strategize proactive solutions that may help to mitigate or eliminate the ethical issues. Originality/value This paper is an original contribution of the analysis of GP and provides an interesting insight into the Indian automotive industry.