Lean awareness and potential for lean implementation in the Indian coal mining industry

Abstract

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.

An SEM Approach for the Barrier Analysis in Lean Implementation in Manufacturing Industries

“…This study obtained substantial support for hypotheses H3 (β = 0.446, p < 0.01). This result is similar to that of Antony et al [52] and Khaba and Bhar [22].…”

“…The findings indicate that non-lean companies should focus on knowledge issues to be successful in LM implementation. This is in line with the findings of Khaba and Bhar [22]. The authors indicated that there is a significant difference in the perception of KNW (poor understanding of lean) between the lean and non-lean firms.…”

“…Table 6 shows the structural model analysis. Specifically, significant statistical evidence was acquired for hypothesis H1 (BCUL→ Barriers, β = 0.468, p < 0.01) in line with the outcomes in [22,24]. Similarly, strong and statistically significant evidence was found for H2 (BKNW→ Barriers, β = 0.579, p < 0.01).…”

“…Khaba and Bhar [22] Investigate the key barriers of lean implementation in the Indian coal mining industry. Furthermore, the authors study the perception of lean barriers among lean implemented mines and non-lean mines.…”

Lean Mining, Productivity and Occupational Health and Safety: An Expert-Elicitation Study

“…On the other hand, Hattingh et al, (2010) [11] points out the different nature of the mining environment compared to the manufacturing sector and questions the possibility of successfully integrating lean tools in mining with the same approach as has been used in the manufacturing sector. In addition, Khaba et al (2018) [12] point out that the level of lean awareness amongst miners could vary from one mine to another. Factors such as variability and uncertainty are known barriers in mining that can hinder the implementation of lean in this sector ( [15].…”