Cultural Influence on Plant Maintenance Practices in the Tyre Industry of Sri Lanka

Abstract

This research paper presents a qualitative investigation into the influence of organizational and national cultures on the implementation of maintenance practices, with a particular focus on the Sri Lankan tyre manufacturing industry. The study adopts a narrative literature review approach, supported by qualitative insights drawn from 10 companies within the Sri Lankan tyre industry, to explore how cultural factors shape maintenance strategies and performance within this sector. Relevant academic publications, industry reports, and case studies were systematically identified through databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect, using keywords. The qualitative data collected from participating companies were analyzed using thematic analysis, allowing key patterns, themes, and relationships to emerge regarding the cultural influences on maintenance practices.The findings highlight notable disparities between maintenance practices in Sri Lanka and those in developed economies, primarily influenced by differences in national and organizational cultures, cultural theories, learning processes, and strategic planning approaches. The study further discusses the managerial implications of these cultural gaps. Although world-class frameworks such as Reliability-Centred Maintenance (RCM) and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) provide structured methodologies for achieving strong maintenance performance, the research emphasizes that successful implementation requires alignment with the organization’s evolving cultural context. This qualitative analysis, based on evidence from ten companies, underscores the critical role of culture in shaping effective and sustainable maintenance practices.