BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS ASSIGNMENT

CASE STUDY : COAL MINING

SUBMITTED BY :

RIYA KOHLI ( 353 )

PIYUSH GUPTA ( )
NIHAL SHARMA ( )
( SECTION D YEAR 1 )

Critical thinking involves analysing a given problem and finding an appropriate solution for the

same through a series of well defined steps. In our case study we have identified the problem in coal

mining and aim to provIde a solution to eradicate the issue.

The process involves these following steps :

STEP 1: IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM

Identification of a problem in any given scenario answers some of these relevant questions,

What, When, Where, Which, How. The problem that we could strongly feel in this case study is

“Psychological issues with the workers in the coal mines pertaining to the recent changes in the

system of work, that is the technological change”. The reasons that lead us to the identification of

this problem is given in the step that follows.

STEP 2 : ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The following indicate that the workers in the coal mines are suffering from psychological issues

pertaining to the change in technology:

1. As the group size increased from 8-10 workers to 40-50 workers in a group, the interactions

that the workers enjoyed with the fellow workers of their community was affected.

2. Greater difficulties in interaction as men were spread out 200 yards away and divided into

three shifts that separated the previously closely connected workers.

3. The concept of a team leader that the workers identified with was replaced by a supervisory

system that gave less emphasis on personal connections.

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 4. There were different levels of prestige involved with different tasks which undermined the

confidence of workers.

5. There is a decrease in the level of productivity with the change in the system.

6. The workers feel they have lost meaning in their work and there is a sense of passivity and

indifference in their minds.

STEP 3 : OBJECTIVE

The objective of the process further is to resolve the psychological issues of the coal mine workers

and increase the productivity of work.

STEP 4 : GENERATION OF ALTERNATIVES

Through our analysis of the problem we could generate the following alternatives as solutions to the

above stated problem :

1. A through discussion of all the new elements in the new system of coal mining and

negotiations with the workers for well implementation of the new technology with factors

well agreed upon.

2. Having a separate leader or supervisor for each group who can communicate well with the

workers and bring to light their grievances and keep a personal contact with them.

3. Giving an hour’s break in each shift so that workers don’t feel overloaded and have time to

interact with the workers from their own community, that is basically increasing the social

interaction.

4. Physical well being is in turn connected to the mental/psychological well being of a person

and as the health hazards related to mining activities are evident, provision of health and

medical insurance to workers could be an alternative.

5. Hiring a counsellor who could talk and influence the workers to maintain their hard work

and add to the productivity of the mine and for the workers to share their personal issues.

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STEP 5 : DEVELOPMENT OF CRITERIA

We have shortlisted the following four criteria to base our analysis of the alternatives and select the

best possible alternative from the list and start with its implementation :

1. COST that we will have to incur on the implementation of an alternative

2. TIME that will go into the implementation and procedure

3. SATISFACTION that the workers will derive from the implementation of a specific

solution as our main objective is to improve the psychological state of the workers.

4. Effects of implementation of an alternatives on PRODUCTIVITY.

STEP 6 : EVALUATION OF EACH ALTERNATIVE AGAINST EACH CRITERION

ALTERNATIV COST TIME SATISFACTIO PRODUCTIVITY TALLY OF

E/ CRITERION N CRITERION
FULFILLED

DISCUSSION Fulfilled Fulfilled Fulfilled Can’t say 3

SEPARATE Addition to cost Can’t say Can’t say Fulfilled 1

LEADER

BREAKS Fulfilled Can’t say Fulfilled Fulfilled 3

INSURANCE Addition to cost Fulfilled Fulfilled Fulfilled 3

COUNSELLOR Addition to cost Can’t say Fulfilled Fulfilled 2

STEP : 7 PRIORITISATION

A number of criteria are fulfilled for each of these alternatives so for accurate selection we assign

weights to the alternatives now so that we have make a choice. The alternatives are written in

priority order :

1. Breaks

2. Discussion

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 3. Insurance

4. Counsellor

5. Separate leader

STEP 8 : ACTION PLAN

From the above evaluation we come to the conclusion that the best plan of action is providing an

hour’s break to the workers in each shift.

STEP 9 : CONTINGENCY PLAN

If we are not able to achieve success through the plan of action is the second best alternative, that is

discussing all the elements of the new system to get the workers on board.