Exploring the implementation and use of smart maintenance technologies in the manufacturing industry: insights from industrial cases

Purpose The maintenance function is crucial for maintaining competitiveness, safety and environmental responsibility. As demands for quality and production efficiency increase, optimized maintenance becomes more essential. Industry 4.0 and 5.0 introduce new generations of maintenance, highlighting technical and human-centered approaches. However, manufacturing companies still face many challenges in implementation and use. Prior research lacks studies that support the manufacturing industry and have not been practically connected to it. This research explores the implementation and use of smart maintenance technologies in large Swedish manufacturing companies, offering practical recommendations for industry practitioners and contributing to the field of smart maintenance research. Design/methodology/approach The research is based on 12 semi-structured interviews with respondents from 11 large manufacturing companies representing varying levels of experience and maturity in smart maintenance technologies. The empirical data were analyzed qualitatively to identify themes associated with such technologies. Findings This research identifies and describes three themes associated with smart maintenance technologies in large manufacturing companies: organizational, human and technical. These themes do not outline an implementation process, but rather synthesize the practical experiences of participating companies, increasing the understanding of how smart maintenance technologies are implemented and used in industrial practice. Originality/value This research highlights developments in maintenance for both practitioners and researchers. It compiles insights from participating companies using smart maintenance technologies to improve understanding of their practical application in industry.