Understanding motives for and barriers to implementing asset management system: an empirical study for engineered physical assets

Abstract This study contributes to the literature by exploring, from a multidisciplinary viewpoint, the emerging discipline of asset management, and by providing a better understanding of the motives for and barriers to asset-intensive organisations’ adoption of asset management systems (AMS). To this end, the authors conceptualise and explore the core themes of AMS, and link this novel body of knowledge to organisational motives for and barriers to the formal introduction of AMS. The study collects and analyses empirical data from 93 middle/senior managers in Slovenian organisations dealing with engineered assets. The results, obtained by applying partial least squares path modelling, show that internal motives, such as better control of operational processes and continuous improvement, are the main drivers of the introduction of AMS. The potential increase in documentation and bureaucracy, and lack of resources, were identified as the main barriers to AMS implementation. By assessing the factors that facilitate and inhibit formal AMS implementation, the study provides important insights into developing strategies to promote the novel and important discipline of asset management.