Infrastructure asset: developing maintenance management capability

Too, Eric (2012) Infrastructure asset: developing maintenance management capability. Facilities, 30 (5/6). pp. 234-253. ISSN 0263-2772

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Abstract

Purpose – Maintenance management is a core process in infrastructure asset management. Infrastructure organisations must constantly strive to ensure the effectiveness of this process in order to obtain the greatest lifetime value from their infrastructure assets. This paper aims to investigate how infrastructure organisations can enhance the effectiveness of their maintenance management process.

Design/methodology/approach – This study utilised multiple case studies as the research approach. The case organisations were asked to identify the challenges faced in the maintenance process and the approaches they have adopted to overcome these challenges. Analysis of these findings, together with deductive reasoning, leads to the development of the proposed capability needed for effective maintenance management process.

Findings – The case studies reveal that maintenance management is a core process in ensuring that infrastructure assets are optimally and functionally available to support business operations. However, the main challenge is the lack of skilled and experienced personnel to understand and anticipate maintenance requirement. A second challenge is the reduced window of time available to carry out inspection and maintenance works. To overcome these challenges, the case organisations have invested in technologies. However, technologies available to facilitate this process are complex and constantly changing. Consequently, there is a need for infrastructure organisations to develop their technology absorptive capability, i.e. the ability to embrace and capitalise on new technologies to enhance their maintenance management process.

Originality/value – The paper provides an in-depth analysis of three case studies that reveal that an infrastructure organisation cannot avoid the need to introduce technologies to monitor the condition of its assets and to predict when assets will fail. It suggests that organisations must be proactive in searching for the best technologies for their purpose.

Statistics for this ePrint Item

Item Type:	Article (Commonwealth Reporting Category C)
Refereed:	Yes
Item Status:	Live Archive
Additional Information:	Accepted Version of paper made available in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher (Emerald)
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre:	Historic - Faculty of Business and Law - School of Management and Marketing (1 Jan 2011 - 30 June 2013)
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre:	Historic - Faculty of Business and Law - School of Management and Marketing (1 Jan 2011 - 30 June 2013)
Date Deposited:	26 Aug 2012 06:25
Last Modified:	22 Aug 2014 05:37
Uncontrolled Keywords:	maintenance schedules; assets management; capability; infrastructure; maintenance programmes; economic value analysis
Fields of Research :	09 Engineering > 0905 Civil Engineering > 090505 Infrastructure Engineering and Asset Management 15 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services > 1503 Business and Management > 150310 Organisation and Management Theory 12 Built Environment and Design > 1202 Building > 120201 Building Construction Management and Project Planning
Socio-Economic Objective:	E Expanding Knowledge > 97 Expanding Knowledge > 970115 Expanding Knowledge in Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services
Identification Number or DOI:	10.1108/02632771211208503
URI:	http://eprints.usq.edu.au/id/eprint/21439

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