The Economic Management of Physical Assets: The Practical Case of an Urban Passenger Transport Company in Portugal

Abstract

Organizations are increasingly concerned with new strategic guidelines and ways of managing physical assets to improve their competitiveness and sustainability. In this paper, we analyze the determinants of the economic management of physical assets in the specific case of a public passenger transport company located in one of the main cities of Portugal. Based on the case under analysis, it was possible to conclude that the economic management of physical assets is oriented by relevant indicators, including, for example, expenses associated with acquisition, maintenance, and operation. This paper provides a relevant contribution to monitoring and evaluating the life cycle of equipment, enabling more efficient and effective management of these physical assets for transport companies. We are convinced that the valuable results presented in this paper can open up new research avenues in the area of physical asset management.