A Conceptual framework for capacity building in physical asset resilience

Abstract

Physical assets, defined as tangible resources with intrinsic value, play a major role in organisations. The concept of Physical Asset Resilience (PAR) is a physical asset's ability to prepare for, absorb, recover from, and adapt to disruptions. The resilience of physical assets is increasingly recognised as important for maintaining operational continuity and allowing long-term sustainability in the face of disruptions within the organisation. For capacity building in PAR required to develop or strengthen the four capacity building elements, including skills, resources, policies, and practices needed to enhance physical asset resilience capacities. However, the extant literature does not provide a clear picture of how capacity-building elements interactively contribute to capacity building in the PAR or how organisations currently approach PAR. Accordingly, by adopting a comprehensive literature review, this study proposes a conceptual framework for capacity building in PAR, focusing on four capacities: anticipative, absorptive, restorative, and adaptive, with their sub-elements. For instance, sub-elements in policies include the maintenance policy, communication policy, practices, including conducting physical assets risk assessments, resources, including backups, physical assets, financial resources, and finally, skills, are technical skills, maintenance skills. This proposed framework provides a structured foundation for future researchers who are in the field of PAR, and for practitioners, offering guidance for improving PAR in organisations.