Title: The missing link between maintenance contracts and flexible asset management

Authors: Salla Marttonen; Sari Viskari; Timo Kärri

Addresses: Department of Industrial Management, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, FIN-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland ' Department of Industrial Management, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, FIN-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland ' Department of Industrial Management, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, FIN-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland

Abstract: The paper shows how additional value can be created in maintenance collaboration through integrating the features of flexible asset management into maintenance contracts. We expand the traditional typology of maintenance contracts and introduce a new contract type, flexible asset management contracts. Also value sharing in the new contract type is discussed. Our logic for sharing the value is based on reaching for win-win situations in industrial maintenance collaboration. Finally, we present scenarios which prove that significant financial benefit can be achieved through adopting these novel contracts. In the dynamic and challenging operating conditions of the present, companies should actively search for this kind of possibilities for closer collaboration with their customers and suppliers.

Keywords: maintenance collaboration; maintenance contracts; flexible asset management; fixed assets; working capital; typology; value sharing; pricing; win-win; customer relationship; service providers; procurement management; added value.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPM.2013.056760

International Journal of Procurement Management, 2013 Vol.6 No.6, pp.649 - 665

Published online: 30 Jan 2014 *

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