The role of the maintenance strategy in achieving the strategic objectives at Durban Container Terminal.
Loading...
Date
2015
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This study examines the contribution of a maintenance strategy utilised at the Durban Container Terminal in meeting in achieving the objectives of the Market Demand Strategy. An organisation’s maintenance strategy needs to be aligned to the firm’s chosen and followed strategy. Poorly aligned, implemented or monitored maintenance strategy, has proven to contribute in the wastage of resources due to poor foresight, poor planning, increases in overtime cost and inferior quality which could affect the customer relations.
The study aims to assess the effectiveness of the maintenance strategy as well as the alignment by concentrating on the following questions namely: 1. Determining the effectiveness of the maintenance strategy used at the terminal, 2. Comparison of the terminal maintenance strategy to others, 3. Assess the perception of the employees, 4. Synergy between the Market Demand Strategy and the maintenance strategy, and 5. Factors that may influence the maintenance strategy. Chapter 5 follows each of these questions with discussions and recommendations emanating from the answers given by respondents
The researcher adopted qualitative research approach, aiming to source as much detailed and sufficient information as possible from the respondents. The study targeted mainly the technicians, engineers, supervisors and managers within the maintenance department as these are individuals responsible for the implementation and maintenance strategy. Out of a sample of 50 the study focuses on 16 respondents including two expect advisers from original equipment manufacturers (OEM).
The results from the study show that the organisation lacks in communication as the objectives of the Market Demand Strategy and the maintenance strategy are not known to most people. The study also finds that there is no synergy between the two strategies and that there is management tend to focus on past data analysis and not on future improvements. The organisation needs to conduct skills and resources needed for each task, and then would have to create a framework for both.
Description
Master of Business Administration. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville 2015.
Keywords
Strategic planning., Decision making--Methodology., Plant maintenance., Container terminals--South Africa--Durban., Theses--Business administration., Durban Container Terminal., Maintenance strategy.