Modelling the challenges of green supply chain management practices in Indian mining industries

Abstract

Purpose – Green supply chain management (GSCM) has received growing attention in the last few years. Almost all industries including mining industries are hit by green fever. In this context, this study aims to identify various challenges faced by the Indian mining industries during GSCM implementation and practices and to represent in a hierarchical manner. Design/methodology/approach – Various barriers and contextual relationships among them have been identified. Classification of barriers has been carried out based upon dependence and driving power (DP) with the help of MICMAC analysis. In addition to this, a structural model of the barriers to GSCM practices in Indian mining industries has been put forward using interpretive structural modelling (ISM) technique. Findings – In the present work, 11 numbers of relevant barriers have been identified from literature and subsequent discussions with experts from academia and industry. Lack of environmental awareness, poor legislation and inadequate pressure from societies positioned at the bottom of the hierarchy are found to be the key barriers. These barriers have high DP and less dependence. Research limitations/implications – A model of these barriers has been developed based upon expert's opinions and literature survey. This model is not statistically validated. This model also does not quantify the adverse effect of each of the variables on GSCM practices in Indian mining industries. Practical implications – The development of a hierarchy helps in the classification and categorization of the barriers, and thereby formulates their respective strategies and policies while providing clarity of thought. Also this hierarchy facilitates the allocation of resources in a rational manner at the time of scarcity of resources and to achieve the maximum benefits of the available resources. Originality/value – The structured model developed will help to understand interdependence of the barriers. Using ISM, this paper has developed a hierarchy of these barriers which is useful to identify the hierarchy of actions to be taken for handling different barriers.