Resource Based View in a Swedish Railway Maintenance Project Assessing the Intangible Aspects of Resource Planning

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis was to investigate and understand the planning processes, systems and actors that are part of railway maintenance projects. In addition, the aim was to identify challenges and success factors for an efficient planning of maintenance activities. The information was gathered through interviews with different actors at a private railway company operating in Sweden. The investigation led to a focus on resources such as personnel, machines, competence and the ability to share knowledge. Factors that affect these resources were identified as; planning, leadership, culture, HR practices and collective approach. These focus areas were analysed through the theoretical lenses of the Resource Based View and Dynamic Capabilities framework, which emphasise on optimising internal resources for the benefit of a competitive advantage. The dynamic nature of maintenance in railway poses unique challenges in planning, therefore conventional project management techniques become tricky to use. In comparison to construction of new railways, maintenance of railways requires time slots to be approved in advance, which is found to be the main bottleneck when trying to plan long-term. This puts much pressure on the ability to organise internal resources. Since there has not been much emphasis and academic research on cultivating internal resources within the railway industry, this thesis provides some insights to the matter.