Simulation modelling for problem understanding: a case study in the East Slovakia Coal Industry

This paper is about an intervention that was initially concerned with physical processes but which required consideration of information flows and culture. The investigation was intended to improve the processing strategy and operations of an organization in the East Slovakian Coal Industry. Simulation modelling was used to help the debate, and it helped reveal issues of misunderstanding within the organization and poor communication that led to misallocation of resources. New ways of approaching the process were proposed that would lead to significant reductions in coal waste.