Purpose The paper aims to analyse the contextual relationship and dependency amongst enablers for lean manufacturing implementation in Bulgarian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach In this study, the interpretive structural modelling (ISM) technique was used to develop a hierarchical structural model for enablers. Also, the interpretive ranking process (IRP) was used to analyse and rank enablers with reference to performance variables. For the ISM approach, a structural self- integration matrix was developed with the help of experts’ suggestions and opinions. Cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) analysis was used to analyse the relationship amongst enablers. A total of nine experts were chosen for collecting the primary data in which seven experts belong to the industry and two experts were academicians. The dominant relationship amongst the enablers was analysed through IRP modelling. Findings A total of 11 enablers were identified for the purpose of this study. The model shows that “leadership and commitment by management”, “human resource management”, “customer relation management”, “supplier relation management” and “information technology system” are the most significant enablers for lean implementation in Bulgarian SMEs as these are positioned at the bottom levels in ISM model. MICMAC analysis shows that five enablers fall in the independent factor, two enablers in linkage factor and four enablers in the dependant factor while there is no enabler in the autonomous factor. ISM and IRP models show that “continuous improvement” is an essential enabler for the successful implementation of lean in Bulgarian SMEs. This study also helps to explain the comparative analysis of ISM and IRP, which indicates that IRP is a more robust modelling approach than ISM, as it incorporates the relationship of enablers with performance variables. Research limitations/implications ISM and IRP modelling approaches are based solely on expert opinions and responses. This limitation can be overcome with the help of empirical study. Practical implications This study supports the professionals/experts to prioritise and manage enablers at strategic and tactical levels while implementing lean manufacturing practices in Bulgarian SMEs. The models developed in the study will be helpful for practitioners to understand and analyse the interdependence of enablers for lean manufacturing implementation. Originality/value This study helps to identify and prioritise enablers that affect lean manufacturing adoption using ISM and IRP approaches. Literature shows that numerous authors have used the ISM approach but the use of IRP approach is limited. The models were developed in the study, totally dependent on data collected from the experts to ensure their real-life validity.

The construction industry in India is the second most important contributor to its gross domestic product. However, high rate of accidents and fatalities have tarnished the image of industry in India. Although the industry contributes significantly to the Indian economy, safety management is the primary concern alongside with frequent workplace accidents. The role of safety management is vital to improve safety performance of an organization. The functions of safety management include planning, organizing, staffing, directing, controlling and coordinating safety activities with an aim to minimize accidents/injuries. Safety trainings, employee participation, compliance of safety procedures and motivational schemes are part of safety management which influences the overall safety performance. Several metrics were developed to measure the safety performance of an organization but not a single measure will reflect the overall performance. The present study considered parameters pertaining to the safety management which have influence on the safety performance of a construction organization in India. The parameters are analyzed by formulating a goal programming model. The results of the study suggests that much improvement is needed in the area of safety trainings and the revised targets were established.

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Indian real estate segment has been one of the utmost affected segments of economy contemplating the changes in economic policies. The Indian economy experienced a radical change as an outcome of demonetization and the consequences are perceived on the real estate segment. The current study has been proposed to evaluate the efficiency of Indian real estate firms by adopting the technique of data envelopment analysis during the pre- and post-period of demonetization. The aim of the research is to understand the effect of demonetization on the performance of the Indian real estate firms during the post-demonetization period compared to pre-demonetization period. Eight real estate firms have been considered for the analysis. The firms have been ranked on the basis of the efficiency score. It is evident from the results of the study that there is a significant difference between the ranks of the firms during the period of pre and post demonetization; and it can be elucidated that the demonetization has an impact on the performance of the firms.

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