Changing role of maintenance in business organisations: measurement versus strategic orientation

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the nature of performance measures utilized by the maintenance function in today’s business organizations. In the process, the increasing variety and significance of these measures are addressed from operational and strategic perspectives. A survey-based research method was utilized to gather the research data. Several statistical procedures were utilized to analyse the data. The findings of this study point to the multifaceted nature of the maintenance measures and measurement. Multiple categories of maintenance measures were identified. These categories varied from the machine-specific, to measures impacting organizational performance. The relative lack of emphasis placed on the environment and strategic facets of maintenance is noted. The findings of this study have direct implications to organizations, which are attempting to measure the effectiveness of their maintenance efforts. The need to align the maintenance performance efforts with the organizational strategic direction is emphasized. In this context, the integration of the maintenance performance information systems with the overall organizational performance management information system might facilitate the needed alignment. This study utilizes 120 maintenance measures. As such, it represents a comprehensive view of the maintenance effort.