Contextualist-retroductive case study design for strategic asset management research

Abstract

This paper develops a tailored case study design for strategic asset management research. It draws on the notions of ‘contextualist approach’ and ‘retroductive strategy’ used in case study research, and follows the multiple embedded-case design advocated within qualitative research. Using a published asset management research study as a primer, it demonstrates the application of the proposed research design and its methodological rigour. This research design could serve as a reference framework, as well as a research instrument, for guiding asset management research. As such, it facilitates the development of theory that accounts for the multi-faceted nature and current priorities of asset management. Overall, this research design helps determine what activities to be incorporated into an asset management program to enhance an organization’s ability to capture value from its operations system. In so doing, it promotes a holistic perspective on asset management that is currently lacking in the literature.

Keywords:

• Case study approach
• research design
• strategic asset management
• organization

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Khaled El-Akruti

Assistant Professor Khaled El-Akruti (PhD, Mech) Leader of Engineering Asset management Discipline, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong in Dubai, Block 15, Knowledge Park, P.O. Box: 20183, Dubai, UAE, [email protected] or [email protected] www.uowdubai.ac.ae. P [phone]; M [phone]; F [phone]Khaled El-Akruti obtained his PhD in engineering from the University of Wollongong (UOW), Australia, in 2012. He has been working for UOW since then and has just moved to its Dubai campus. He is a member of the Engineering Asset Management Research Group at the University of Wollongong, as well as the Asset management Council of Engineers Australia. He has worked on a number of projects funded by the Energy Pipeline-Corporate Research Centre. Khaled teaches in the engineering asset management programs at both masters and undergraduate levels, and supervises higher degree research students. He has published over 20 articles and numerous reports for the industry. Khaled has over 16 years of experience in teaching in international universities in the areas of mechanical and industrial engineering. He has over 14 years of experience in steel industry and has worked on a number of industrial and infrastructure projects.

Senevi Kiridena

Dr Senevi Kiridena is a Senior Lecturer in Engineering Management with the Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences at the University of Wollongong, Australia. Senevi has over 16 years of experience undertaking numerous roles in the academia, industry and the Australian public service. He has published on a wide range of topics within the area of operations and supply chain management, including operations strategy, supplier evaluation and selection, project complexity and simulation modelling-based optimization. His current research focuses on the development of advanced analytics tools to support supply network configuration decisions, exploring project complexity and leadership development.

Richard Dwight

Richard Dwight is Associate Professor at the School of Mechanical Materials and Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Wollongong where he leads a research program in engineering asset management. He also directs their post graduate program in: engineering asset management since 1992, and rolling stock engineering, since 2007. His academic career was preceded by 19 years in the steel industry in roles from investigation engineer to engineering manager. His research interest and publication record spans engineered asset decision support systems; engineering asset management system design; maintenance system simulation and modelling; organisational (specifically maintenance) performance measurement systems; safety analysis and safety systems; wheel-rail noise; and teaching and learning.