The Development of Stone Crushing Plant and Quarrying Industry’s Management Model for Competitiveness

Abstract

       The objectives of this research were 1) to investigate key components of a management model in relation to stone crushing plant and quarrying industry as to strengthen business competitiveness; 2) to develop a management model; and 3) to create a professional user manual of the management model. This research was carried out using a mixed-methods approach.  Research instruments for data collection consisted of semi-structured, in-depth interview questions and questionnaires. Ten professional experts served as participants for in-depth interviews whereas 297 management staff members associated with crushing plant and quarrying industry were respondents of the survey. Statistical methods used for data analysis comprised frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation whereas exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was applied to uncover the underlying factor structure. The developed management model was evaluated by 15 experts in a focus group discussion and the draft of manual handling guidance was evaluated by a panel of 5 specialists. 

       As results, the investigated management model encompasses 5 key dimensions and 14 components. The 5 critical dimensions with their competency-based components are as follows: 1) Organization Efficiency, with its constituting elements of management processes, management characteristics, technology & differentiation along with trade alliances; 2) Intellectual Capital, with its constituting elements of workers, machines and safety; product quality and advantages, financial management, combined with advertising, pricing and outsourcing; 3)   Social Capital, with the constituting elements of social responsibility and  community relations; 4) Environment, with respective constituting elements of environmental management and engagement in  environmental projects and standards; 5)  Government and government regulations, with constituent elements of legal competence in applicable laws and regulations coupled with maintaining  strong ties with the government sector. The developed management framework and the handbook were unanimously approved by the expert panel. Eventually, the crafted guidance manual was adopted by employees within 5 quarry production stone crusher plant manufacturers. The findings unveiled that the average user satisfaction rating reached 4.88 out of 5.0, implying a very high level of satisfaction in the mind of its users.