Abstract:
Every city has beautiful building and views but no other city; in the world has
DABBAWALAS’. This is a story of a conventional Indian system of management that is today a
favorite case study among management institution for a simple reason that is doesn’t use any
technology and yet outperforms most organizations in operational efficiency. To the extent that it
received a six sigma rating from Forbes international and has received ISO 9001:2001 certificate.
They are famous for their supply chain management their distribution network structure, their
team work.
The purpose of this research work on Mumbai Dabbawalas is to analyze and figure out
why these illiterate Dabbawalas are mastering in management, supply chain and logistics
concepts and theories. It is amazing to know that they are mastering in their work without using
modem technology and solutions and yet they are setting standards which even multi nationals
can only wish but cannot achieve.
The research work is based on qualitative approach and data used is secondary. There is
no empirical work in this paper and it is totally centered on theoretical framework. This research
paper is centered on secondary data.
After the completion of this research, the results derived are astonishing. The success of
Mumbai Dabbawala is based on small and simple things but equally important and necessary for
any organization. Their success is based on critical factors like teamwork, coordination, honesty,
integrity, job ownership, absolute loyalty, last but not the least, their view that serving customers
is like prayers for them, these are the factors that are contributing to their success.
