Knowledge Management in the Procurement Process: Maintenance Organization’s Role in Failure-free Production
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Program
Product development (MPPDE), MSc
Publicerad
2019
Författare
Blomberg, Jonny
Håkansson, Martin
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
Abstract
In order for organizations to stay competitive in the future with increased complexity and
demands, failure-free production is a necessity. It has been seen that maintenance related losses
losses due to equipment failure are the main root causes. Production losses can possible be
prevented during the design and development phases during the procurement of the equipment.
Knowledge management is particularly central in order to successfully incorporate experience
and knowledge into the procurement process, called Early Equipment Management (EEM).
Given also that the design and development are performed by the equipment supplier, creates
an unique dependency on the knowledge sharing towards the supplier.
This thesis, that is a part of the research project KIDSAM, investigates how knowledge is
captured and transferred into the procurement process of production equipment, with the
main focus at how knowledge from maintenance organization can prevent future production
disturbances. The procurement process depends on knowledge capturing and transfer from
two perspectives; (1) capturing and sharing knowledge internally from maintenance to the
procurement process and (2) sharing the knowledge to the supplier, which are both covered.
In order to study these aspects, in-depth face-to-face interviews, internal documents and a
literature study were used as research approach. The research was performed at a global case
company at three different production plants, covering three executed projects and one ongoing
project. Results show that the case company has a working and well defined process of procuring
production equipment, transferring explicit, implicit and tacit knowledge. It was shown that
explicit knowledge was reused, together with positive initiatives to transfer also implicit and
tacit knowledge, creating a high level of trust. However, it was seen that the organization
possibly lack of a holistic view of EEM with e.g. a too high focus on tools. A standardized and
stable process for a reactive approach to problem solving is found, the reactive and proactive
approach is developing in a promising direction. The interviewed team members were found
pleased with the current level of supplier collaboration but referred to documentation as a
challenge. Recommendations for a holistic view of EEM, improved knowledge sharing and
supplier documentation are lastly given.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
procurement, production equipment, lean, early equipment management, industry 4.0