Jan-jaap Moerman, Jan Braaksma and Leo van Dongen
Asset-intensive organizations rely heavily on physical assets that are often expensive, complex and have a significant impact on organizational performance. Past introductions of…
Abstract
Purpose
Asset-intensive organizations rely heavily on physical assets that are often expensive, complex and have a significant impact on organizational performance. Past introductions of critical assets in various industries showed that despite many preparations in maintenance and operations, shortcomings were identified after deployment resulting in unreliable performance. The main purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the factors that determine how asset-intensive organizations can achieve reliable outcomes in critical asset introductions despite random failures as a result of increasing complexity and infant mortalities.
Design/methodology/approach
To gain a detailed understanding of the issues and challenges of critical asset introductions, a case study in railways (rolling stock introductions) was conducted and analyzed using qualitative analysis.
Findings
The case showed that organizational factors were perceived as decisive factors for a reliable performance of the introduction, while the main focus of the introduction was on the asset and its technical systems. This suggests that more consideration toward organizational factors is needed. Therefore, a critical asset introduction framework was proposed based on 15 identified factors.
Originality/value
Reliable performance is often associated with technical systems only. This empirical study emphasizes the need for a more holistic perspective and the inclusion of organizational factors when introducing critical assets seeking reliable performance. This study demonstrated the application of the affinity diagramming technique in collectively analyzing the data adopting a multidisciplinary orientation.
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Wieger Tiddens, Jan Braaksma and Tiedo Tinga
Asset owners and maintainers need to make timely and well-informed maintenance decisions based on the actual or predicted condition of their physical assets. However, only few…
Abstract
Purpose
Asset owners and maintainers need to make timely and well-informed maintenance decisions based on the actual or predicted condition of their physical assets. However, only few companies have succeeded to implement predictive maintenance (PdM) effectively. Therefore, this paper aims to identify why only few companies were able to successfully implement PdM.
Design/methodology/approach
A multiple-case study including 13 cases in various industries in The Netherlands was conducted. This paper examined the choices made in practice to achieve PdM and possible dependencies between and motivations for these choices.
Findings
An implementation process for PdM appeared to comprise four elements: a trigger, data collection, maintenance technique (MT) selection and decision-making. For each of these elements, several options were available. By identifying the choices made by companies in practice and mapping them on the proposed elements, logical combinations appeared. These combinations can provide insight into the PdM implementation process and may also lead to guidance on this topic. Further, while successful companies typically combined various techniques, the mostly applied techniques were still those based on previous experiences.
Research limitations/implications
This research calls for better methods or procedures to guide the selection and use of suitable types of PdM, directed by the firm's ambition level and the available data.
Originality/value
While it is important for firms to make suitable choices during implementation, the literature often focusses only on developing additional techniques for PdM. This paper provides new insights into the application and selection of techniques for PdM in practice and helps practitioners reduce the often applied trial-and-error process.
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Luz María Marín-Vinuesa, Pilar Portillo-Tarragona and Sabina Scarpellini
This study aims to define and measure the capabilities applied by firms to waste-related patents and their relations with the businesses economic performance to support…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to define and measure the capabilities applied by firms to waste-related patents and their relations with the businesses economic performance to support decision-making towards a circular economy (CE).
Design/methodology/approach
A model of cause-and-effect relationships between firms' waste-related patents and the firm' capabilities was defined within the dynamic capabilities' theoretical framework. Empirical results were obtained by applying partial least squares structural equation modelling to a sample of 2,216 Spanish firms that hold 120,406 patents.
Findings
Results revealed the importance of the innovation capabilities of firms related to patenting, such as collaborative innovation, persistence in patenting or the capabilities to collaborate with research institutes, as drivers of level of waste patents to improve the businesses economic performance.
Research limitations/implications
The systemic nature of the CE at the firm level suggests future research focused on the environmental divergence that appears when the innovation on waste fall outside the regular domain of its industry. Another topic to be investigated is related to the full text of patents that could improve the results of this study.
Practical implications
The definition of indicators to measure investments in the CE is complex, but it is necessary to assess progress in the closing of material loops at a micro level and to report the investments in waste-related patents in a circular model to the stakeholders involved in the economic management of the company.
Originality/value
Measuring CE-related patents and the specific capabilities needed for patenting in a circular framework is an understudied topic, and this study opens a specific line of inquiry enhancing the knowledge of CE within the dynamic capabilities' theoretical framework.
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Vipin Prakash Singh and Kunal Ganguly
This research aims to develop a new generic framework for estimating different maintenance costs (preventive, corrective and conditional based) and its distribution to original…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to develop a new generic framework for estimating different maintenance costs (preventive, corrective and conditional based) and its distribution to original equipment manufacturer (OEM), customer and supply chain due to no fault found (NFF) events. The study extend the domain of NFF to military aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) by including broader range of cost drivers than are normally found in maintenance NFF literature.
Design/methodology/approach
The research applies the soft system methodology involving 80 field surveys and five in depth semi-structured interviews with practicing experts having background in military aircraft NFF MRO. For impact analysis, authors have used an agent-based model to represent and prioritize the critical NFF cost drivers during aircraft MRO based on the cost inputs of 21 technology transfer cases.
Findings
The paper provides imperial insights about how NFF cost drivers affect the OEM, customer and supply chain. It suggests that NFF cost need to be part of the commercial MRO contract, depending on its frequency pattern in different types of maintenances.
Research limitations/implications
The context of the current research is military aircrafts industry and may lack generalizability to commercial aircrafts. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further.
Practical implications
The developed framework will provide invaluable help in key financial decision-making during signing of MRO contract in technology transfer cases.
Originality/value
This paper proposed a new prediction model for NFF cost estimation across its shareholders and current status of NFF in military aircraft NFF MRO in India.
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Alberto Martinetti, Erik Jan Schakel and Leo A.M. van Dongen
The purpose of this paper is to create a framework to provide a scalable maintenance program for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in order to choose the most suitable and feasible…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to create a framework to provide a scalable maintenance program for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in order to choose the most suitable and feasible maintenance strategy in terms of reliability.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper opted for a reliability-centered maintenance-based approach to develop the framework using a UAS as the starting point of the research. A linear and user-friendly design of the methodology based on a Boolean flowchart was chosen in order to lead the analyst through the process avoiding as much as possible subjectivity decision-making issues. Finally, the framework was, on the component level, performed by a UAS company gathering feedback on its applicability.
Findings
An agile and structured decision-making framework for developing scalable maintenance program of UAS is provided. The proposed solution gives the opportunity to tailor the maintenance strategy to the technical characteristics, considering not only the single component but also situations and conditions in which the machine will operate.
Research limitations/implications
Because of the chosen research approach, the framework is potentially applicable to every UAS. A first trial of the method was run on a multirotor vehicle equipped with eight electric brushless motors. Further studies focused on different UAS will be mandatory in order to obtain comparable and robust findings and a reliable approach.
Practical implications
This study offers a different scheme to elaborate a specific maintenance solution related to the characteristics of the system. It strives to remedy the drawbacks of the traditional approach for a manned aircraft not completely suitable for systems with such different functions, features and tasks. The authors believe that the method presented in this paper will provide a new selection tool for choosing maintenance actions based on the features of the UAS.
Originality/value
This paper provides a new and usable solution to include the maintenance actions in the management of pioneering products. In spite of the maintenance program representing an essential aspect to provide reliable assets, frameworks to create programs and to help manufacturers and users are still difficult to find or to apply to different UAS. This gap enhances the misunderstanding that the maintenance is not required or essential for the unmanned aircrafts management.
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Surajit Bag and Jan Harm Christiaan Pretorius
The digital revolution has brought many challenges and opportunities for the manufacturing firms. The impact of Industry 4.0 technology adoption on sustainable manufacturing and…
Abstract
Purpose
The digital revolution has brought many challenges and opportunities for the manufacturing firms. The impact of Industry 4.0 technology adoption on sustainable manufacturing and circular economy has been under-researched. This paper aims to review the latest articles in the area of Industry 4.0, sustainable manufacturing and circular economy and further developed a research framework showing key paths.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative research is performed in two stages. In the first stage, a review of the extant literature is performed to identify the barriers, drivers, challenges and opportunities. In the second stage, a research framework is proposed to integrate Industry 4.0 technology (big data analytics powered artificial intelligence) adoption, sustainable manufacturing and circular economy capabilities.
Findings
This research extends the knowledge base by providing a detailed review of Industry 4.0, sustainable manufacturing, and circular economy and proposes a research framework by integrating these three contemporary concepts in the context of supply chain management. Through an exploration of this integrative research framework, the authors propose a future research agenda and seven research propositions.
Research limitations/implications
It is important to understand the interplay between institutional pressures, tangible resources and human skills for Industry 4.0 technology (big data analytics powered artificial intelligence) adoption. Industry 4.0 technology (big data analytics powered artificial intelligence) adoption can positively influence sustainable manufacturing and circular economy capabilities. Managers must also put more attention to sustainable manufacturing to develop circular economic capabilities.
Social implications
Factory workers and the local communities generally suffer from various adverse effects resulting from the traditional manufacturing process. The quality of the environment is deteriorating to such an extent that people even staying miles away from the factory are also affected due to environmental pollution that is generated from factory operations. Hence, sustainable manufacturing is the only choice left to manufacturers that can help in the transition to a circular economy. The research framework can help firms to enhance circular economy capabilities.
Originality/value
This review paper contains the most updated work on Industry 4.0, sustainable manufacturing and circular economy. It also proposes a research framework to integrate these three concepts.
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This article deals with a field which gets little or no attention in the research done into knowledge management: small and medium‐sized companies. In the first part of this…
Abstract
This article deals with a field which gets little or no attention in the research done into knowledge management: small and medium‐sized companies. In the first part of this article a conceptual model will be developed. This model can be used to analyse the most important knowledge management processes in companies. In the second part of the article our model is used to analyse 12 innovative companies from the industrial and business service sector. Knowledge management appears in small and medium‐sized companies to get its form especially at an operational level. A total of 79 instruments were found with which knowledge is organised in practice: 18 instruments for determining the knowledge gap and for evaluating knowledge; 41 instruments for acquiring and developing knowledge; 20 instruments for knowledge sharing. On a strategic and tactical level there are provisions for knowledge management but they have not been developed as such.
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Hendrik Winzer, Tor Kristian Stevik, Kaspar Akilles Lilja, Therese Seljevold and Joachim Scholderer
Tactical capacity planning is crucial when hospitals must cope with substantial changes in patient requirements, as recently experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic. However…
Abstract
Purpose
Tactical capacity planning is crucial when hospitals must cope with substantial changes in patient requirements, as recently experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, there is only little understanding of the nature of capacity limitations in a hospital, which is essential for effective tactical capacity planning.
Design/methodology/approach
We report a detailed analysis of capacity limitations at a Norwegian tertiary public hospital and conducted 22 in-depth interviews. The informants participated in capacity planning and decision-making during the Covid-19 pandemic. Data are clustered into categories of capacity limitations and a correspondence analysis provides additional insights.
Findings
Personnel and information were the most mentioned types of capacity limitations, and middle management and organizational functions providing specialized treatment felt most exposed to capacity limitations. Further analysis reveals that capacity limitations are dynamic and vary across hierarchical levels and organizational functions.
Research limitations/implications
Future research on tactical capacity planning should take interdisciplinary patient pathways better into account as capacity limitations are dynamic and systematically different for organizational functions and hierarchical levels.
Practical implications
We argue that our study possesses common characteristics of tertiary public hospitals, including professional silos and fragmentation of responsibilities along patient pathways. Therefore, we recommend operations managers in hospitals to focus more on intra-organizational information flows to increase the agility of their organization.
Originality/value
Our detailed capacity limitation analysis at a tertiary public hospital in Norway during the Covid-19 pandemic provides novel insights into the nature of capacity limitations, which may enhance tactical capacity planning.