Optimizing Indian Railways: Strategic Insights Through A Fuzzy-DEMATEL Approach

This study aims to examine the strategic decisions and uncertainties encountered by Indian Railways (IR) and illustrate the relationship between these elements to enhance competitive business performance. The research employs a comprehensive review of current literature, a structured questionnaire, and interviews to gather qualitative data from seasoned individuals in the railway sector with significant decision-making authority. The analysis utilizes the Fuzzy DEMATEL approach. The components of railway policy, initiatives for sustainability and expansion, service differentiation, cost reduction, and resource limitations have been found to exert considerable causal effects on various performance metrics. Emerging railway technologies and fluctuations in service pricing are recognized as relevant concerns. The findings furnish essential information for decision-makers and policymakers to prioritize and tackle significant performance issues inside the Indian railway system. It should focus on critical areas determined by D-R values, such as railway policies (0.4505), service differentiation (0.4305), and technological advancement, to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness in complex and uncertain environments. The study is interesting as it offers a distinctive examination of the strategic and business environment factors within the framework of Indian Railways, emphasizing identification, priority, and interconnection.