Mapping primary constraints in physical asset management strategy execution, using social network analysis

Date
2013-08
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The successful execution of a physical asset management strategy is an important value driver for organisations that are highly dependent on the service delivery of physical assets. Research demonstrates that strategic targets are often not met, and that the means to detect the constraints that can undermine strategy execution efforts are deficient. The purpose of this article is to investigate social network analysis (SNA) as a method to map primary constraints in physical asset management strategy execution (PAMSE). As an interim result, the study found that dysfunctional information flow and poor decision-making are the primary constraints that can hinder the PAMSE. An SNA application methodology was developed and applied at two research sites in the South African mining industry. This study found that SNA can be used to map constraints experienced in PAMSE; but it also points towards important prerequisites that have to be established for SNA to be successful.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die suksesvolle uitvoering van die fisiese batebestuurstrategie is ’n belangrike genereerder van waarde vir organisasies wat afhanklik is van die dienslewering van fisiese bates. Hedendaagse navorsing wys egter dat geskeduleerde mylpale meestal nie bereik word nie, en dat die metodes wat gebruik word om vas te stel watter beperkings die strategieuitvoering ondermyn, ontoereikend is. Die doel van hierdie artikel is om die aanwending van sosiale netwerkanalise as ’n metode te ondersoek, om die primêre beperkings ten opsigte van die uitvoering van fisiese batebestuurstrategie te identifiseer. Die voorlopige resultate van die studie het bevind dat gebrekkige inligtingsvloei en swak besluitneming die hoofbeperkings is wat die uitvoering van ’n fisiese batebestuurstrategie kan verhinder. Gevolglik is ’n sosiale netwerkanalise toepassingsmetodiek ontwikkel, en dan op twee teiken-aanlegte in die Suid-Afrikaanse mynboubedryf toegepas. Die studie het bevind dat sosiale netwerkanalise geskik is as ’n metode om die primêre beperkings, wat ondervind word in die uitvoering van fisiese batebestuurstrategie, te identifiseer. Dit moet egter ook beklemtoon word dat daar belangrike voorvereistes bestaan, wat vir die suksesvolle toepassing van sosiale netwerkanalise in plek moet wees.
Description
CITATION: Baum, J. & Vlok, P. J. 2013. Mapping primary constraints in physical asset management strategy execution, using social network analysis. South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 24(2):47-58, doi:10.7166/24-2-597.
The original publication is available at http://sajie.journals.ac.za
Keywords
Physical asset management, Social networks -- Analysis, Corporate strategy, Assets (Accounting) -- Management
Citation
Baum, J. & Vlok, P. J. 2013. Mapping primary constraints in physical asset management strategy execution, using social network analysis. South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 24(2):47-58, doi:10.7166/24-2-597.