A comparative analysis of maintenance strategies and data application in asset performance management for both developed and developing countries

Abstract

PurposeThe present study empirically compares maintenance practices under asset performance management (APM), employed by firms in developed and developing countries (Belgium and Kenya, respectively).Design/methodology/approachEmpirical observations and theoretical interpretations on maintenance practices under APM are delineated. A comparative cross-sectional survey study is conducted through an online questionnaire with 151 respondents (101 Kenya, 50 Belgium). Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics like independent t-test and phi coefficient were used for analyzing the data.FindingsIn both countries, reduction of maintenance and operational budget, return on assets, asset ageing and compliance aspects were established as critical factors influencing the implementation of asset maintenance and performance management (AMPM). A significant difference in staff competence in managing vibration, ultrasound and others like predictive algorithms was found to exist between the firms of the two countries. The majority of firms across the divide utilize manual and computer-based tools to integrate and analyse various maintenance data sets, while standardization and maintenance knowledge loss were found to adversely affect maintenance data management.Research limitations/implicationsThe study findings are based on the limited number of returned responses of the survey questionnaire and focused on only two countries representing developed and developing economies. This study not only provides practitioners with the practical guidelines for benchmarking, but also induces the need to improve the asset maintenance strategies and data application practices for asset performance management.Practical implicationsThe paper provides insights to researchers and practitioners in the articulation of imperative effective maintenance strategies, benchmarking and challenges in their implementation, considering the different operational context.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to theory and practice within the field of AMPM where no empirical research comparing developed and developing countries exist.

An adaptable end-to-end maintenance performance diagnostic framework

“…Moreover, it has been observed that the data collected for performance measurement are not adequately used in decision support (Muchiri et al, 2010). On the one hand, the large number of data collected becomes a problem, as they require more sophisticated methods and algorithms to elicit useful information (Villarejo et al, 2017;Wakiru et al, 2022). On the other hand, the reviewed indicator selection methods take a one-way path from identifying to screening MPIs.…”

“…On the one hand, the large number of data collected becomes a problem, as they require more sophisticated methods and algorithms to elicit useful information (Villarejo et al. , 2017; Wakiru et al. , 2022).…”

“…This increases the difficulty of performance management, leaving maintenance databases and indicators undocumented or unregulated (Parida et al, 2015). The implementation of maintenance performance management is seldom driven by process and demand changes (Wakiru et al, 2022), making existing MPM systems deviate from maintenance objectives and become less effective over time. Therefore, the measurement of these indicators is distributed into individual technical aspects and fails to contribute to an end-to-end view, which shows a complete performance evaluation of major maintenance processes from beginning to end.…”

“…, 2015). The implementation of maintenance performance management is seldom driven by process and demand changes (Wakiru et al. , 2022), making existing MPM systems deviate from maintenance objectives and become less effective over time.…”

Sustainable maintenance planning in the petroleum industry: an application of system dynamics approach

“…Hence, effective maintenance planning is necessary to ensure that the equipment keeps operating securely, avoiding economic, social and environmental losses. Besides, a timely and high-quality supply of spare parts for equipment can reduce the failures and decrease the periods of shutdown (Wakiru et al, 2022), thus, the maintenance suppliers play a crucial role regarding the accessibility of spare parts to guarantee the overall quality of the manufactured products. So, it is vital to have a firm plan for dealing with the suppliers (Antosz et al, 2017).…”