Reliable performance in critical asset introductions: A comparative study on collective mindfulness

Asset-intensive organizations heavily rely on physical assets that are often expensive, complex and have a significant impact on performance.
Introducing new critical assets is characterized by a strong need for reliable performance despite typical teething problems. New asset
introductions raise (obvious) questions about the reliability of technical systems, but often neglected or overlooked, also about the reliability of
organizational systems. The concept of collective mindfulness may support asset-intensive organizations to recognize and manage organizational
reliability, but empirical research on its application in the context of physical asset management seems to be missing. This study addresses this
gap through an empirical exploration by assessing collective mindfulness in critical asset introductions at three asset-intensive organizations. This
research contributes by providing detailed insights into what practices of asset-intensive organizations can be seen as mindful and supports
reliability seeking organizations when introducing new critical assets. An explorative multiple case study revealed distinctive operationalizations
for the five processes of collective mindfulness for critical asset introductions. In addition, limited evidence was found of organizational
mechanisms influencing these processes of collective mindfulness. This can be considered an opportunity to increase reliable performance in
complex asset introductions. Therefore, future research should be aimed at how asset-intensive organizations can implement collective
mindfulness principles to adopt a more mindful organizational infrastructure.