Modelling flexible asset management in industrial maintenance companies and networks
Marttonen, Salla (2013-11-22)
Väitöskirja
Marttonen, Salla
22.11.2013
Lappeenranta University of Technology
Acta Universitatis Lappeenrantaensis
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-265-496-0
https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-265-496-0
Tiivistelmä
The tightening competition and increasing dynamism have created an emerging need for flexible
asset management. This means that the changes of market demand should be responded to with
adjustments in the amount of assets tied to the balance sheets of companies. On the other hand,
industrial maintenance has recently experienced drastic changes, which have led to an increase in
the number of maintenance networks (consisting of customer companies that buy maintenance
services, as well as various supplier companies) and inter-organizational partnerships. However, the
research on maintenance networks has not followed the changes in the industry. Instead, there is a
growing need for new ways of collaboration between partnering companies to enhance the
competitiveness of the whole maintenance network. In addition, it is more and more common for
companies to pursue lean operations in their businesses.
This thesis shows how flexible asset management can increase the profitability of maintenance
companies and networks under dynamic operating conditions, and how the additional value can
then be shared between the network partners. Firstly, I have conducted a systematic literature
review to identify what kind of requirements for asset management models are set by the increasing
dynamism. Then I have responded to these requirements by constructing an analytical model for
flexible asset management, linking asset management to the profitability and financial state of a
company. The thesis uses the model to show how flexible asset management can increase
profitability in maintenance companies and networks, and how the created value can be shared in
the networks to reach a win-win situation.
The research indicates that the existing models for asset management are heterogeneous by nature
due to the various definitions of ‘asset management’. I conclude that there is a need for practical asset management models which address assets comprehensively with an inter-organizational,
strategic view. The comprehensive perspective, taking all kinds of asset types into account, is
needed to integrate the research on asset management with the strategic management of companies
and networks. I will show that maintenance companies can improve their profitability by increasing
the flexibility of their assets. In maintenance networks, reorganizing the ownership of the assets
among the different network partners can create additional value. Finally, I will introduce flexible
asset management contracts for maintenance networks. These contracts address the value sharing
related to reorganizing the ownership of assets according to the principles of win-win situations.
asset management. This means that the changes of market demand should be responded to with
adjustments in the amount of assets tied to the balance sheets of companies. On the other hand,
industrial maintenance has recently experienced drastic changes, which have led to an increase in
the number of maintenance networks (consisting of customer companies that buy maintenance
services, as well as various supplier companies) and inter-organizational partnerships. However, the
research on maintenance networks has not followed the changes in the industry. Instead, there is a
growing need for new ways of collaboration between partnering companies to enhance the
competitiveness of the whole maintenance network. In addition, it is more and more common for
companies to pursue lean operations in their businesses.
This thesis shows how flexible asset management can increase the profitability of maintenance
companies and networks under dynamic operating conditions, and how the additional value can
then be shared between the network partners. Firstly, I have conducted a systematic literature
review to identify what kind of requirements for asset management models are set by the increasing
dynamism. Then I have responded to these requirements by constructing an analytical model for
flexible asset management, linking asset management to the profitability and financial state of a
company. The thesis uses the model to show how flexible asset management can increase
profitability in maintenance companies and networks, and how the created value can be shared in
the networks to reach a win-win situation.
The research indicates that the existing models for asset management are heterogeneous by nature
due to the various definitions of ‘asset management’. I conclude that there is a need for practical asset management models which address assets comprehensively with an inter-organizational,
strategic view. The comprehensive perspective, taking all kinds of asset types into account, is
needed to integrate the research on asset management with the strategic management of companies
and networks. I will show that maintenance companies can improve their profitability by increasing
the flexibility of their assets. In maintenance networks, reorganizing the ownership of the assets
among the different network partners can create additional value. Finally, I will introduce flexible
asset management contracts for maintenance networks. These contracts address the value sharing
related to reorganizing the ownership of assets according to the principles of win-win situations.
Kokoelmat
- Väitöskirjat [1037]