文档介绍：international journal of
production
economics
ELSEVIER Int. J. Production Economics 53 (1997) 191-207
An empirical study of the relationship between production
technology and maintenance management
Laura Swanson*
Department of Management, Southern Illinois Universify at EdwardsviNe. EdwardsviNe. IL 62026-1100, USA
Received 20 May 1997; accepted 7 July 1997
Abstract
In an petitive environment, manufacturing firms have continued to implement new technologies
aimed at improving plant performance. These new technologies are often plex to maintain. At the same time,
equipment breakdowns can e more costly and disruptive. However, managers tend to give little consideration to
how different production technologies may affect the maintenance function. This paper reports the results of a study of
the relationship between the characteristics of production technology and maintenance practices. Based on the responses
from a survey of plant managers and maintenance managers, the analysis shows a strong relationship between technical
complexity and maintenance practices that increase the technical expertise of the maintenance workforce.
Keywords: Maintenance management; Production technology
1. Introduction Misaligned or malfunctioning equipment will
also result in scrap or products of questionable
The maintenance function plays a critical role in quality.
a anization’s ability pete In the past 15 years, the nature of the production
on the basis of cost, delivery performance, and environment has changed because of the implemen-
product quality. Effective maintenance extends tation of advanced manufacturing technologies and
equipment life, improves equipment availability just-in-time manufacturing. The increased automa-
and retains equipment in proper condition. Con- tion and reduced buffers associated with these cha-
versely, poorly maintained equipment will have nges place new demands on the maintenance
a shorter use