Title: Modelling the challenges faced by Indian engineering consultancies: an ISM analysis

Authors: V.R. Pramod; S.R. Devadasan; Ajith K.A. Nair

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, NSS College of Engineering, Palakkad, Kerala, 678008, India ' Department of Production Engineering, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641-004, India ' Government ITI Kalamassery, Ernakulam District, 683-503, Kerala, India

Abstract: This contribution explores the synergic impact of the challenges faced by the engineering consultancy services. Consultancy services are always subjected to various challenges. It is customary for a service sector to mitigate the challenges. In order to explore in this direction, interpretive structural modelling (ISM) technique was applied. At the outset, ten major challenges have been identified. Subsequently, the views of service managers about their relevance and influences were analysed and their relationships have been established. By making use of these data, ISM was developed. Further, driving power-dependence diagram was drawn by referring to the final reachability matrix of ISM technique developed. This diagram indicated that out of the ten, two challenges titled as 'creative ways of attracting new clients' and 'requirement of acquiring new skills' are the most severe challenges of the engineering consultancies. Identification of the severe challenges and understanding their relationships helps the engineering consultancies to overcome the challenges and move towards acquiring competitive strength.

Keywords: engineering consultancies; challenges; interpretive structural modelling; ISM; inter-relationship; digraph; driving power-dependence diagram.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOM.2023.136110

International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 2023 Vol.46 No.4, pp.540 - 559

Received: 28 Apr 2021
Accepted: 23 Jun 2021
Published online: 17 Jan 2024 *

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