Implementing Smart Maintenance in the pulp and paper industry: Developing the strategy development process for Smart Maintenance implementation using action research

Abstract

The manufacturing industry is being digitalized at an ever rapid pace which is changing the rules for what, how, and when things can be manufactured. As man ufacturing is being digitalized, the demand for industrial maintenance increases. Maintenance in digitalized manufacturing is called Smart Maintenance, which is expected to lead to a broader spectrum of effects and change the role of mainte nance in the companies’ strategies. To facilitate its implementation, researchers have developed an iterative strategy development process for Smart Maintenance implementation. However, the strategy development process must be further devel oped, and specific companies and industries need practical evidence on how to use it. This thesis used action research to promote collaboration between researchers and practitioners in the pulp and paper industry, to test, evaluate, and further develop the strategy development process for Smart Maintenance implementation. Implementing Smart Maintenance in the pulp and paper industry resulted in a further developed strategy development process for Smart Maintenance implemen tation. The strategy development process was found to have clear value for facilitat ing the Smart Maintenance implementation. Furthermore, theoretical frameworks regarding organizational innovation were used to establish practical insights and de tails of how to use the strategy development process. Organizational change and organizational development are challenging disciplines and vital to take into account to avoid failing with the Smart Maintenance implementation. Maintenance organi zations must become learning organizations and the strategy development process should be seen as a long learning process and be realized evolutionary in the pulp and paper industry in order to meet the digitalized future.