Free Essay

Case Analysis About Dabbawalla

In:

Submitted By Pulkman21
Words 1124
Pages 5
Case analysis about Dabbawalla

Case summary:
Dabbawalla is the name of a group of Indian entrepreneurs that deliver home-cooked food to Indian office- and factory workers in the city of Mumbai. By using the public transport, bicycle and handcarts they pick up dabbas (a kind of lunch box) in the office- and factory workers homes. They use codes on the lid and geographical depots to divide the lunch boxes in to different areas all over metropolitan Mumbai. After delivering the food they also provide the service of picking it up and deliver it home. The workers have a special bond making it feel like a family rather than a business. My task is to do a case analysis on MTBSA (as the company is called) using the SWOT-analysis.

Strengths:
• A good business idea – The company has found a need that is, if not ever-lasting, long-lasting. In these days with long business hours you don’t have time to eat long lunches and its to expensive eating out every day at restaurants. The offices don’t offer cafeterias or restaurants and it would be hard to fill all the different food-demands that the workers want. Bringing their own lunchboxes is hard as the public transport is crowded and you need your two hands for holding on to the train and your briefcase.
• Environmental friendly – The dabbawalas uses their feet, bicycles, handcarts and the public transport making their contribution to pollution close to zero. The dabbas are made by tin or aluminum and has a long life span making their impact on the environment small as well.

Weeknesses:
• Complicated system – The system the dabbawallas use to devide their dabbas to the different districts is all made by hand. By using different colour pens they write codes that helps them figure out where to deliver the dabba. These codes are written on top of the lid and on the bottom making it hard to identify. As everyone has his or her own handwriting the risk for misreading increases. Due to that the streets change names frequently they need to make up code names for the different spots in Mumbai, which further complicates the process. This system could leed to a larger amount of misdeliveries.
• Sensitive to employee turnover – The system described above together with the close relationship the dabbawalas have to each other makes it hard for a new dabbawalla to do his work properly. Learning to understand all the code names on the streets and the codes on the dabbas takes time and could create frustration among the others, as the delivery end is very competitive between the different groups.

Opportunities:
• Extend their range – By expanding and making just small changes they can evolve their company to distributing other things, like letters and small packages, to companies in the metropolitan Mumbai. They can use the same system and the only difference is that instead of picking up lunch boxes at workers homes they have a hub somewhere where they can distribute and sort the letters before handing them out to the companies.
• Expand – Even if Mumbai is the biggest city in India there are other big cities where the demand for this service would be high, like Delhi and Bangalore.

Threats:
• Continued population increase – India is one of the fastest-growing populations in the world. The pressure on the public transport is high already and even more people using it could be devastating for the dabbawalas. The demand for timing will be even more important if they should be able to deliver all the lunch boxes in time.
• The increased influence from the western part of the world – As India is getting more and more influence from the countries in the west the companies sees India as a potential new market. In the case of the dabbawalas, they are seeing a big competitor since big American companies like Pizza Hut, Mcdonalds, Burger King is being established. They offer fast food and quick lunches, which could make it harder for MTBSA to keep their customers.
• Increasing economy – As the economy is growing and the view on the dabbawalas is changing, the company will see a big challenge in keeping the dabbawalas down to earth. The more famous and mentioned the dabbawalas gets there is a risk in them losing what has made them famous, the familiar atmosphere, and instead they will tear the bond between them.

Conclusion
MTBSA has found a long-lasting business idea. Looking at it from a VRIO-analysis I would say that they have a sustainable competitive advantage, as their idea is valuable, rare, hardly imitable and supported by the organization. Even though big food chains are taking a lot of marketing shares my opinion is that the dabbawalas will continue living on. The big food chains offer the same types of food when the dabbawalas can provide home-cooked food that the workers have made themselves.
The fact that the company is taking a step into the technological part is very important. Even though I like the niche and the familiar way of handling distribution of the dabbas I think they need to evolve into a more technical system. It’s a big change but if they wanted to they could evolve a lot in my opinion. If they had a PDA like Intermec or other brand and bar codes on the lunch boxes they would take away the error rate they get using color codes and nicknames for the different kinds of streets. It would remove the familiar feeling and I’m not even sure if it is realistic. The same thing occurs when it comes to the expanding and extending their range. There is a demand for this kind of service in other cities but I am not sure if the company is interested in taking that step as it increases the risk of losing the company soul on the way. With soul I mean the pride and the familiar atmosphere that flows in the company. A big change could generate a decrease in the pride the dabbawalas has about working with their profession. It would also further increase the potential threat the company might have to deal with during to the evolving economy and the rising knowledge and fascination about the dabbawalas. The appreciation the dabbawalas has received and increased money access can lead to that they feel a demand to get higher salaries, more appreciation from the company, better working hours and more trips home to their family. In summary, it is of great importance that the company understands the value of their employees as they are under the microscope from a lot of different associations and companies that compete in fascination about the dabbawallas achievements.

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Dabbawalahs

...Ramana Ammu Ayomidaey Tolu Table of Contents Page Numbers Executive Summary | 4 | Issues and Identification | 5 | Environmental root cause analysis | 6 | Alternatives | 6 | Recommendations | 7 | Implementations | 8 | Monitor and Control | 8 | Conclusion | 9 | References | 10 | Exhibits | 1112 | Executive Summary My decision is to provide the Appropriate Information and research on the Mumbai Dabbawala or tiffin bearer operation has been chosen as a best practice, as it is broadly perceived as an Exceptional case of six sigma execution in the Indian connection. This is a meal delivery system in the extensive mega polis of Mumbai, where many workers and employees prefer home-cooked meals for lunch. This is currently a highly efficient and low cost delivery solution, which has astounded logistics professionals all over the world. The main objective of the report is to analyses the business model of the Mumbai Dabbawala best practice and to evaluate the potential transferability of the best practices to urban logistics processes in other cities across the world. Before focusing on the Mumbai Dabbawala case study, basic information of India and the city of Mumbai is presented along with the institutional governance framework, transport policies, existing transport related problems and measures undertaken to mitigate the existing problems. The...

Words: 1709 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Mumbai Dabbawala

...SUMMER INTERSHIP PROJECT REPORT ON “Dabbawala Employee Satisfaction Survey” At Mumbai Dabbawala SUBMITTED IN THE PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIRMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION BY SHRISH PRATAP SINGH Roll no – (0844370026) (2008-2010) EXCEL SCHOOL OF BUSINESS MATHURA (U.P) (Affiliated to U.P.Technical University,Lucknow) ACKNOWLEDEMENT A task undertaken without offering prayers to almighty and taking blessings from the elders is not a good beginning. Likewise the work completed without acknowledging the assistance to those who were always by my sides to make my efforts fruitful in the task left incomplete. In the beginning, I would like to express my sincere thanks to my Institute teachers for giving me an opportunity to take the practical experience of working life. I convey my sincere thanks to Mr Raghunath Medge or providing me the proper guidance and Mrs. Priyankya Gautam for providing me the opportunity to carry out research effectively and efficiently. I would also like to pay thanks to all my classmates and friends and my family members for co-operating with me and helping me to complete the project. (SHRISH PRATAP SINGH) PREFACE Quality without creativity is meaningless. As changes grow ever more unpredictable creativity is rapidly becoming recognized a core management skill. Today’s business environment demands that managers posses a wide range of knowledge skills and competencies, as well as sound understanding of management...

Words: 14614 - Pages: 59

Free Essay

Dasdasdsdasdasdasdsdasdas

...The Dabbawala System: On-Time Delivery, Every Time Case Analysis Executive Summary Describes the Mumbai-based Dabbawala organization, which achieves very high service performance (6 Sigma equivalent or better) with a low-cost and very simple operating system. The case explores all aspects of their system (mission, information management, material flows, human resource system, processes, etc.) and the challenges that the Dabbawala organization faces in a rapidly changing environment. An outside consultant proposes the introduction of new technologies and management systems, while the leading logistics companies (e.g., FedEx) come to Mumbai to learn about the Dabbawala system. Background Summary Business Description A dabbawala is a person in India, most commonly found in the city of Mumbai, whose job is to carry and deliver freshly in lunch boxes to office workers. History and IPO date This service originated in 1880. In 1890, Mahadeo Havaji Bachche and Ananth Mandra Reddy started a lunch delivery service with about 100 men. In 1930, he informally attempted to unionize the dabbawallas. Later a charitable trust was registered in 1956 under the name of Nutan Mumbai Tiffin Box Suppliers Trust. Founder and Organization NMTBSA was headed by a President Raghunath Medge, who is still in this position. He was assisted by a general secretary, a treasurer and a director. Apart from that two committees oversee the functioning of dabbawala system: -The Operational Committee established...

Words: 1564 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Strategy

...Executive Summary | 4 | List of Tables | 5 | List of Figures | 5 | I  Introduction   | | II  Methodology: The Strategy Formulation Framework   | | III Company Background   | | The Internal Environment 1. Resources2. Capabilities3. Core Competencies | | The External Environment1. Demographic2. Economic3. Political/Legal4. Sociocultural5. Technological6. Global7. Physical8. Industry | | Porter Five Forces Model1.Threat of New Entrants/Barriers to Entry2.Bargaining Power of Suppliers3.Bargaining Power of Buyers4.Product Substitutes5.Intensity of Rivalry Among Competitors | | IV Analysis 1: The Input Stage 1. Internal Factor Evaluation (IFE) Matrix 2. External Factor Evaluation (EFE) Matrix 3. Competitor Profile Matrix (CPM)  | | V Analysis II: The Matching Stage1. SWOT matrix 2. SPACE matrix 3. BCG matrix 4. I/E matrix 5. Grand Strategy Matrix  | | VI Analysis III: The Decision Stage 1. QSPM Matrix  | | VII Strategy Recommendation | | References | | Appendices | | Executive summary This report was commissioned to examine the internal and external environment as well as the 5 Porter Five Forces Model that affect the Volkswagen Group and using the several type matrix to formulate the strategy as the ways to increasing the overall performance of Volkswagen Group. This report draws the attention to the several of...

Words: 18317 - Pages: 74

Free Essay

Globalization

...GLOBALIZATION THE ESSENTIALS GEORGE RITZER A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication Globalization Globalization A Basic Text George Ritzer This balanced introduction draws on academic and popular sources to examine the major issues and events in the history of globalization. Globalization: A Basic Text is a substantial introductory textbook, designed to work either on its own or alongside Readings in Globalization. The books are cross-referenced and are both structured around the core concepts of globalization. 2009 • 608 pages • 978-1-4051-3271-8 • paperback www.wiley.com/go/globalization Readings in Globalization Key Readings and Major Debates Edited by George Ritzer and Zeynep Atalay This unique and engaging anthology introduces students to the major concepts of globalization within the context of the key debates and disputes. Readings in Globalization illustrates that major debates in the field are not only useful to examine for their own merit but can extend our knowledge of globalization. The volume explores both the political economy of globalization and the relationship of culture to globalization. The volume is designed so it may be used independently, or alongside George Ritzer’s Globalization: A Basic Text for a complete student resource. 2010 • 560 pages • 978-1-4051-3273-2 • paperback Order together and save! Quote ISBN 978-1-4443-2371-9 GLOBALIZATION THE ESSENTIALS GEORGE RITZER A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication This edition first...

Words: 168078 - Pages: 673

Free Essay

The Satanic Verses

...Copyright Salman Rushdie, 1988 All rights reserved VIKING Published by the Penguin Group Viking Penguin Inc., 40 West 23rd Street, New York, New York 10010, U.S.A. Penguin Books Ltd, 27 Wrights Lane, London W8 5TZ, England Penguin Books Australia Ltd. Ringwood, Victoria, Australia Penguin Books Canada Ltd, 2801 John Street, Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R 1B4 Penguin Books (N.Z.) Ltd, 182-190, Wairau Road, Auckland ro, New Zealand Penguin Books Ltd, Registered Offices: Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England Published in 1989 by Viking Penguin Inc. For Marianne Contents I The Angel Gibreel II Mahound III Ellowen Deeowen IV Ayesha V A City Visible but Unseen VI Return to Jahilia VII The Angel Azraeel VIII The Parting of the Arabian Seas IX A Wonderful Lamp Satan, being thus confined to a vagabond, wandering, unsettled condition, is without any certain abode; for though he has, in consequence of his angelic nature, a kind of empire in the liquid waste or air, yet this is certainly part of his punishment, that he is . . . without any fixed place, or space, allowed him to rest the sole of his foot upon. Daniel Defoe, _The History of the Devil_ I The Angel Gibreel "To be born again," sang Gibreel Farishta tumbling from the heavens, "first you have to die. Hoji! Hoji! To land upon the bosomy earth, first one needs to fly. Tat-taa! Taka-thun! How to ever smile again, if first you won't cry? How to win the darling's love, mister, without a sigh? Baba, if you want to get born again...

Words: 195828 - Pages: 784