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This article is aimed at exploring the relationship between physical asset management (PAM) practices and sustainability performance. A framework of interrelated constructs was developed based on the existing literature and consequently tested through empirical study. Survey data were collected from organizations operating in six European countries (i.e., Greece, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Turkey) and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Path Modeling (PLS-PM). The results offer support for the proposed hypotheses, showing that PAM practices positively influence the sustainability performance outcomes, namely economic, environmental, and employee-related social performance. Overall, this study demonstrates that a PAM framework can be conceptualized by four sub-constructs, namely physical asset risk management, physical asset performance assessment, physical asset lifecycle management, and physical asset policy and strategy. Finally, this study brings to light some theoretical and managerial implications as well as directions for future research. The findings of the study underscore PAM areas in which managers should focus on in order to optimize costs, performance, and risk exposures concerning the physical assets, and therefore enhance sustainability performance.

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Purpose-The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of maintenance in improving company's competitiveness and profitability. In the first part the paper aims to discuss the potential improvement areas from the company perspective. Second part of the paper examines maintenance impact on company's business. Design/methodology/approach-An empirical case study was utilised aiming to provide an understanding of the role of maintenance in improving company's business. The empirical data for this study was collected from a Slovenian textile company. A gap analysis was used in order to address the research problem and to identify potential improvement areas. Findings-Based on the gap analysis, the results suggest that from respondents' points of view, maintenance practices related to condition based maintenance (CBM) approach represent the highest opportunity for improvement. The most notable empirical results of the case study showed that around 3 % of additional profit could be generated at weaving machine, especially if all unplanned stoppages and loss of quality due to decrease in the productivity would be prevented. Practical implications-This paper demonstrates to managers the potential benefits of maintenance policy in terms of productivity, quality and profitability. In this regard, this paper builds on a premise that company can gain higher performance benefits using more effective maintenance policy. Originality/value-The proposed conceptual model contributes to the existing literature by showing the interactions between maintenance and company's competitiveness and profitability. Empirical findings of this study therefore, acknowledge maintenance's potential of increasing the overall profit. In addition this study advances prior studies by utilizing a gap analysis which is rare in this type of research.

The commitment of organisations to physical assets management (PAM) has recently received considerable attention in theory and practice. Indeed, PAM plays a key role in asset-intensive organizations and is also considered as a principal actor within Industry 4.0. Therefore, this paper aims to examine the PAM core practices and the performance implications of integrating these practices into business, in particular by assessing their impact on operational performance. Survey data were collected from managers in 138 international and local organisations. The data was analysed using Partial Least Squares Path Modeling (PLS-PM). The study validates the second-order construct consisting of PAM latent variables, namely Strategy and Planning, Risk management, Lifecycle Delivery, Asset Information, and Asset Review. The results have shown that PAM core practices directly influence operational performance. This paper is a response to recent calls for empirical studies on the organisational approaches that can increase the success of organisations.

Purpose:The purpose of this empirical study is to examine the role of two contingency factors, i.e. uncertainty and competitiveness in relation to physical asset management (PAM) practices as well as to maintenance key performance indicators. The research is based on a premise that PAM, which was defined by risk management practices, performance assessment practices, life cycle management practices, and policy & strategy practices, has become an indispensable element of strategic thinking of asset owners as well as maintenance and asset managers. The purpose of this study is to advance the understanding of how organizations that face high or low level of uncertainty and competitiveness respond in terms of PAM deployment. Methodology/Approach: This study employed a data set based on a large-scale survey among organizations in six European countries (i.e. Slovenia, Poland, Greece, Sweden, Turkey and Slovakia). Data were collected from 138 organizations located in the above-mentioned countries to conduct the study. Findings:The results show that organizations that are faced with high level of uncertainty and competitiveness are more engaged in the deployment of PAM practices. Moreover, results show that when organizations are facing high levels of competitiveness they are using KPIs to a greater extent than organizations under low levels of competitiveness. Originality/value: From a theoretical perspective, this study contributes to the contingency theory by providing empirical evidence whether a context-dependent approach to PAM is needed. The findings also provide insights for managers on how to respond to the competitive pressure as well as how to customize PAM practices in order to adapt to the changes in dynamic organizational environment.

This is an author produced version of a paper published in "Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering". This paper has been peer-reviewed but does not include the final publisher proofcorrections or journal pagination.Citation for the published paper:Al-Najjar, Basim "Total quality maintenance: an approach for continuous reduction in costs of quality products" Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, 1996, Vol. 2, Issue: 3, pp 4-20 URL: http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1108 Access to the published version may require subscription. to maintain not only machinery but all the elements constituting a manufacturing process, e.g. production/operation, environmental condition, personnel, methods, material, quality control. TQMain is a result of establishing a common database through integrating the maintenance program with other plant programs to form an overall plant Information Technology, IT-system. Identifying and 'eliminating' quality deviations and failure causes at early stages, and extensive use of data feedback are the suggested tools to accomplish continuous improvements and to assure high quality products.