Salla Marttonen-Arola and David Baglee
Due to recent technological developments, many maintenance managers become overwhelmed by the vast amount of data available to support their decision making. The purpose of this…
Abstract
Purpose
Due to recent technological developments, many maintenance managers become overwhelmed by the vast amount of data available to support their decision making. The purpose of this paper is to discuss identifying and eliminating waste in information management processes through a value stream mapping (VSM)-based method.
Design/methodology/approach
A theoretical framework is constructed based upon a review of the previous academic literature. The application of the framework is demonstrated with an empirical case example of a maintenance information management process within a food manufacturing company.
Findings
The paper highlights existing examples of applying VSM in information management; however, the knowledge is fragmented and has not been extensively applied in a maintenance context. The case example shows that the suggested process offers a feasible method of mapping and evaluating the inherent waste in information management processes.
Originality/value
The paper summarizes the existing body of knowledge on lean information management in maintenance, and presents a theoretical framework on how VSM can be applied in the context. An empirical example is provided to show the method applied to a real industry case. The results will illustrate how the framework can support companies in identifying the waste and development potential in their maintenance information management.
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Salla Marttonen-Arola, David Baglee, Antti Ylä-Kujala, Tiina Sinkkonen and Timo Kärri
Big data and related technologies are expected to drastically change the way industrial maintenance is managed. However, at the moment, many companies are collecting large amounts…
Abstract
Purpose
Big data and related technologies are expected to drastically change the way industrial maintenance is managed. However, at the moment, many companies are collecting large amounts of data without knowing how to systematically exploit it. It is therefore important to find new ways of evaluating and quantifying the value of data. This paper addresses the value of data-based profitability of maintenance investments.
Design/methodology/approach
An analytical wasted value of data model (WVD-model) is presented to quantify how the value of data can be increased through eliminating waste. The use of the model is demonstrated with a case example of a maintenance investment appraisal of an automotive parts manufacturer.
Findings
The presented model contributes to the gap between the academic research and the solutions implemented in practice in the area of value optimization. The model provides a systematic way of evaluating if the benefits of investing in maintenance data exceed the additional costs incurred. Applying the model to a case study revealed that even though the case company would need to spend more time in analyzing and processing the increased data, the investment would be profitable if even a modest share of the current asset failures could be prevented through improved data analysis.
Originality/value
The model is designed and developed on the principle of eliminating waste to increase value, which has not been previously extensively discussed in the context of data management.
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Michael Knowles and David Baglee
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the link between maintenance and energy saving in a commercial refrigeration setting.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the link between maintenance and energy saving in a commercial refrigeration setting.
Design/methodology/approach
Since there is little data available from within the industrial sector, the authors have surveyed the literature for evidence of a link.
Findings
Maintenance procedures play a major role in ensuring refrigeration equipment operates at maximum efficiency.
Research limitations/implications
Little real world data is available and this is a major problem at present. Improved maintenance policies can only be developed.
Practical implications
Substantial energy savings can be achieved if maintenance procedures are improved based on detailed measurement of energy usage. Monitoring the condition and performance of individual parts of a system are found to be crucial aspects in obtaining optimal performance.
Originality/value
This paper highlights a neglected area in both energy saving and in maintenance planning.
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Robert Brenya, Isaac Akomea-Frimpong, Deborah Ofosu and David Adeabah
As global concerns for sustainability have gained traction in all sectors of every economy including agribusiness, the need to investigate the critical barriers that could hamper…
Abstract
Purpose
As global concerns for sustainability have gained traction in all sectors of every economy including agribusiness, the need to investigate the critical barriers that could hamper this novelty has also risen. In that regard, this study presents a comprehensive overview of the dominant barriers encountered by agribusinesses to ensure long-term success through the lenses of a literature review.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a systematic literature review (SLR) of 43 relevant articles. The study applies content analysis to identify and analyze the selected articles. The conceptual framework underlines the three principal barriers to sustainable agribusinesses.
Findings
The results from the SLR demonstrates that inadequate financial support, excessive post-harvest loss, gender inequality, non-climate-smart policies and weak institutional controls constitute the major challenges to the sustainability of agribusinesses.
Research limitations/implications
The study is limited in scope to barriers to the sustainability of agribusiness only not the broad spectrum of the concept of agriculture.
Originality/value
This study's uniqueness is twofold. First, it provides a checklist for practice with the goal of addressing problems that hamper the sustainability of agribusinesses. Second, the findings and research gaps in this study are important to support future studies.