Barriers in managing the maintenance activity: towards sustainable and lean maintenance approach

Abstract

This paper present on the preliminary findings of pilot project aimed at exploring the issue related to managing the maintenance activity in Malaysian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). SMEs have been recognized as indispensable components of domestic industry development. However, the literature portrays that many of Malaysian SMEs particularly the companies involved in manufacturing, fabrication and machining services are struggling to manage the maintenance of their manufacturing equipment. Reliable manufacturing equipment has been considered as significant contributor to organizational profitability. Nowadays, with the growing dependence on the automation and mechanization, managing the maintenance activity of those manufacturing equipment is becoming more complex and critical. Because of such characteristic, SMEs players are under enormous pressure to minimize downtime for their survival. Thus, this study seeks to explore the related issues towards further improvements. Qualitative research methodology was adopted in the study. Data were collected at eight (8) SMEs located in three (3) different areas, namely southern, central and eastern region of peninsular Malaysia. Information was gathered from semi-structured interviews with SMEs management and observations focuses on different areas of maintenance management at the respective SMEs. The main concern is to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) in managing the maintenance activity at selected SMEs. This study discovered that: understanding the maintenance management philosophy; management commitment and leadership; appropriate number of maintenance staff; maintenance planning; maintenance strategy; integration of tools, techniques and technology; maintenance training; record of maintenance data, and; monitoring and assessment are the most significant CSFs towards effective maintenance management practice for SMEs. The discovered CSFs are vital for all stakeholders that directly or indirectly involve in managing the maintenance activity in SMEs.