Showing papers in "Facilities in 2017"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a State of the art of Disruption, Blockchain and Real Estate in the Netherlands and international, including interviews, exploratory conversations and correspondence took place, and the content was peer reviewed.
Abstract: The real estate world finds itself at a tipping point of a transition: a dramatic and irreversible shift in (real estate) systems in society. This paper is a State of the art of Disruption, Blockchain and Real Estate in the Netherlands and international.,The following questions were asked to all those involved: What do you think is the essence of Blockchain for real estate? What is the most current situation with respect to Blockchain and real estate from your perspective? Which publications are important from your perspective? What do you expect with respect to the impact of Blockchain on real estate for (social) real estate? What are questions for the future for real estate and Blockchain? In addition, interviews, exploratory conversations and correspondence took place, and the content was peer reviewed.,Changes in value concepts affect the valuation of real estate and the thinking about it. The orientation of changing users and owners of real estate affects innovativeness, values and flexibility in managing that property. Orientation on disruption must be seen as proof that the real estate world is able to actually innovate the accumulated assets and consolidate this. The financial and real estate markets are markets that exaggerate through irrational behaviour. Fear of “eat or be eaten” determines people’s behaviour. Financial and thus real estate markets are always unstable and must always be regulated by people and organizations.,The question that remains is whether it is important to look at disruptive innovations in existing markets or newcomers in the real estate market and Blockchain. The question is whether Blockchain is only a technological disruption, or a real game changer, and whether the entire value chain of the real estate market will embrace it. No two disruptions are the same. Trust in Blockchain is a prerequisite for guiding the predictable form of that disruption where start-up companies use new technology to offer cheaper and inferior alternatives to real estate in the market. You could also talk about anti-fragile value: “Some things benefit from shocks; they thrive and grow when exposed to volatility, randomness, disorder, and stressors and love adventure, risk, and uncertainty. Yet, in spite of the ubiquity of the phenomenon, there is no word for the exact opposite of fragile. Let us call it antifragile” (Taleb, 2012), in other words: attention to disruption and Blockchain creates a viable real estate economy.,The true meaning of the Blockchain technology for real estate still needs to be investigated. The author is still curious to understand and clarify the value of Blockchain for real estate processes. Doubt continues to exist and is therefore a feeding ground for further research, because we do not know what we have not seen.,Looking at the impact of Blockchain on real estate, a number of conclusions can be drawn. First of all, the relationship between Blockchain and real estate has not yet been proven in practice. It is expected to develop further in the form of registering transaction processes and the DNA passport of a real estate object. Secondly, completeness and transparency are the basic ingredients for trust in the system. Third, real estate wants to remain viable. For this reason, taking the offense is necessary for real estate and management to connect with social demand. Behaviour also leads to new earnings models of the social and economic spin-off of disruptive real estate. If the Dutch real estate sector embraces Blockchain and is able to realize innovations, there are opportunities for real estate entrepreneurs to exploit the disruptive character to provide those new services.,The way in which disruption, Blockchain and real estate will develop in the coming years are not the only obvious characteristics of a particular era but also its social impact and user behaviour. This also applies to how this real estate transition can best be tracked, guided and utilized in society at the international, national and regional level. Disruptive organizations clearly respond to the viability of the (built) environment and therefore determine competitive strength. This affects the current and future valuation of real estate.
132 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors propose a platform that integrates various technologies and systems of Highways Authority and its supply chain, to allow for continuous flow of data throughout an assets life-cycle, leading to seamless, collaborative and effecting working.
Abstract: The Highway infrastructure is one of the most valuable assets for any state or national Government. Efficient operations of Highways lead to success of national and local economies as well as improve the quality of life of the general public dependent on it. In order to ensure aging road networks continues to move with its ever increasing number of users, requires maintenance and improvements to the road network at the highest standard. Increasing scrutiny over the cost of maintenance along with increasing pressure from Government and the public for transparency over road network spending, has made a strong case for more efficient management of the Highway road asset and traffic management data. Better management of information could allow for life cycle management of asset data and predictive analytics. This paper focuses on proposing a platform that integrates various technologies and systems of Highways Authority and its supply chain, to allow for continuous flow of data throughout an assets life-cycle, leading to seamless, collaborative and effecting working. The integration takes into account developments in the area of BIM and big data; BIM provides a platform to better integrate information whereas big data can provide analytical platform to draw insights.
73 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the perceptual differences on the factors that contribute to the successful management of public-private partnership (PPP) projects at the operational stage among stakeholders, and found that each stakeholder group considers an efficient and well-structured payment mechanism as the most important operational management critical success factor (CSF).
Abstract: Purpose
This paper aims to explore the perceptual differences on the factors that contribute to the successful management of public-private partnership (PPP) projects at the operational stage among stakeholders.
Design/methodology/approach
An international questionnaire survey was conducted with purposively sampled PPP experts from the private, public and academic sectors. Survey responses were analyzed using Kendall’s coefficient of concordance (W), mean score ranking analysis, Kruskal–Wallis test and Mann–Whitney U test.
Findings
The research findings show that each stakeholder group considers an efficient and well-structured payment mechanism as the most important operational management critical success factor (CSF). Moreover, the public sector considers open and constant communication among stakeholders as the second most important CSF, whereas the private and academic sectors consider effective operational risk management and well-structured legal dispute resolution mechanism, respectively. Further analysis using non-parametric tests (i.e. Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U statistics) reveal significant differences in the importance of three operational management CSFs – “open and constant communication among stakeholders”, “effective changes of shareholdings in private consortium” and “stable macroeconomic indicators”.
Research limitations/implications
The generalizability of the research findings is limited considering the low sample size and non-participation of users/general public in the study. Hence, it is recommended that future research should be conducted in a specific country using both face-to-face and email questionnaire distribution approaches. This would likely increase the response rate and facilitate the inclusion of the general public/users.
Originality/value
The results of this study highlight and provide significant insights into how different PPP stakeholders perceive the critical conditions that are required to ensure the operational efficiency of PPP projects. This would, therefore, enable a better cooperation and collective effort from all stakeholders towards achieving the overall project success. In addition, the study offers new and additional CSFs which would enhance the comprehensiveness of the existing list of CSFs for the general implementation of PPP projects.
60 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide a succinct review of contemporary adaptive reuse and that places the practice within the framework of the 3 Es of sustainability, where major actors at each corner are different and tensions along each edge are resolved through mediation.
Abstract: Purpose
There is a resurgence in the adaptive reuse of buildings. However, there is a lack of literature that pulls all the strands of adaptive reuse together. Furthermore, despite claims that it is motivated by the 3 Es of the sustainability triangle, the authors could find no research that critiques adaptive reuse from this perspective. The purpose of this study is to review the literature to collect pertinent information in a single place and to critically examine whether adaptive reuse incorporates the 3 Es of sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodological approach of this study is a literature review and a critical analysis of the practice of adaptive review.
Findings
Adaptive reuse is concentrated at the environment and economic development corners of the sustainability triangle. There are positive interactions along this edge. The authors attribute this to the fact that the same actors – the private and public sectors – are located at both corners of the triangle, and they have shared interests. This is different from the wider sustainability literature, where major actors at each corner are different and tensions along each edge are resolved through mediation. In adaptive reuse, there are no actors at the equity corner of the triangle, and there are minimal attempts to address concerns along the equity–environment and equity–economic development edges of the triangle.
Research limitations/implications
This study focuses on the USA.
Practical implications
This study suggests policy interventions that address the equity issue in adaptive reuse.
Originality/value
This is the first study to provide a succinct review of contemporary adaptive reuse and that places the practice within the framework of the 3 Es of sustainability.
58 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a research framework for the green maintainability of buildings, which integrates maintainability and green facilities management at the planning/design stage to ensure green FM.
Abstract: Purpose
The aim of this paper is to present a research framework for the green maintainability of buildings. This study makes the case for the development of a new concept called “green maintainability”. The paper also identifies and discusses the knowledge gap concerning green facilities management (FM). As an integral part of green FM, the economic, environmental and social impacts and opportunities of green maintainability throughout the total life cycle of the facility are also highlighted.
Design/methodology/approach
The little attention paid to the maintainability of green buildings has resulted in losses of lives due to occupational health and safety hazards as well as high operation and maintenance costs. To address this issue, this study has conducted a literature review to determine the relevant background knowledge and provides a conceptual framework that will aid in conceptualizing the green maintainability of buildings and the development of a research framework for the furtherance of this concept.
Findings
This paper finds that there is little research on the maintainability of green buildings, and the studies about the maintainability of green features are nonexistent in current research. This study confirms the knowledge gap of this little-researched area and draws from it the formulation of a research framework for the green maintainability of buildings to ensure green FM. Emerging literature on green practices and methods is currently receiving attention from academia, as well as building and construction practitioners, and can valuably contribute to the existing theories, practices and methods concerning building maintainability and facilities management.
Originality/value
This study develops the novel concept of green maintainability, which integrates maintainability and green FM at the planning/design stage. The proposed research framework is the first attempt to investigate the green maintainability of different typologies of buildings and especially green building technologies.
46 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored how big data analytics collected and stored through specific data software [Construction Operations Building Information Exchange [COBie], integrated workplace management systems [IWMS], and computer aided facilities management (CAFM) can play an essential role in improving the performance management system in the facility management (FM) industry.
Abstract: Purpose
This paper aims to explore how big data analytics (BDA) collected and stored through specific data software [Construction Operations Building Information Exchange [COBie], integrated workplace management systems [IWMS], computer aided facilities management (CAFM), etc.] can play an essential role in improving the performance management system in the facility management (FM) industry. It defines the big data components and explores the benefit of BDA in any business through an extensive literature review and a pilot case study in the UAE.
Design/methodology/approach
The research was carried out based on a qualitative approach. It attempts to identify through a case study how the data collected and the technologies that go along with will increase the functionality and the efficiency of the FM services. The research studies the implementation of a big FM organization, hereafter referred as “M” of software that exports the data collected from COBie and the computer aided facilities management (CAFM) system and shapes them into input to improve the performance of the FM service providers. The study includes two components in anticipation of providing a complete picture: first, five semi-structured interviews with industry experts and company employees representing the hierarchy of the staff, i.e. top, middle and operational levels; one director, two managers and two operational-level employees were interviewed to determine the current situation of the company in terms of BDA; and second, detailed documents and archives records review for the data collected on a randomly chosen sample of facilities for the period 2013-2015. The interviews were designed to achieve two specific objectives. Primarily, they were aimed at collecting empirical evidence on the existing status of big data within the UAE FM context and at investigating the importance of the data collected for performance measurement in the industry as supported in the literature. Second, these interviews sought to identify any critical issues that need to be addressed within the data collection process when devising the big data platform for FM.
Findings
The paper seeks to provide a guideline to the service providers in the FM market to understand the importance of big data to be shared from the design and construction to the operational phase as it improves their operational performance.
Originality/value
This paper studies the impact of big data on the FM performance management, a very recent topic where only few researches were conducted earlier.
44 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an evaluation process of the adaptive reuse potential of historic buildings that are subject to change in the Grand Canal area, a world heritage site in Hangzhou, China, is presented.
Abstract: Purpose
Adaptive reuse of building assets is an important approach to sustainability. Adapting a building for new uses often involves complex factors in the decision-making process, particularly in conservation areas. The paper aims to show an evaluation process of the adaptive reuse potential of historic buildings that are subject to change in the Grand Canal area, a world heritage site in Hangzhou, China.
Design/methodology/approach
For this purpose, a model has been established with aggregated views of professionals on the degree to which a variety of factors affect the buildings’ potential for adaptive reuse. The model intends to help prioritise some of the buildings in the area for adaptive reuse, which is important for effective allocation of public resources. Interviews with professionals, analytic hierarchy process and the Delphi method have been used to establish the evaluation model. It is then applied to the Grand Canal area to generate indices for buildings’ adaptive reuse potential and the ranking of priority. The indices are generated through public scoring of historic buildings against the variables and calculated through the model.
Findings
The paper concludes that the evaluation process is an effective way to engage the public in the decision-making process and to balance conflict interests of various stakeholders in the management of historic building assets in conservation areas.
Originality/value
The research has proposed an evaluation model to help set priority of buildings subject to adaptive reuse and to help distribute public fund effectively. It facilitates wide public engagement in the decision-making progress of adaptive reuse of historic buildings.
42 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine what practitioners in the building industry mean when they talk about "adaptability" and reveal a wide range of perspectives on adaptability, particularly regarding terminology, meanings practitioners associate with adaptability and the way in which these meanings are communicated to others in the industry.
Abstract: Purpose
Despite being a common term in the literature, there is little agreement about what the word “adaptability” means in the context of the built environment and very little evidence regarding practitioners’ understanding of adaptability. This paper aims to examine what practitioners in the building industry mean when they talk about “adaptability”.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted a qualitative approach, involving 82 unstructured face-to-face interviews with practitioners from a range of professional disciplines in the construction industry, including architects, engineers, facilities managers, property agents and planners. The interview transcripts were coded inductively to identify themes in the qualitative data.
Findings
The interview data revealed a wide range of perspectives on adaptability, particularly regarding terminology, the meanings practitioners associate with adaptability and the way in which these meanings are communicated to others in the industry. The applied meaning of adaptability varied depending on context.
Practical implications
Conflicting language, and different interpretations of adaptability, is a potential barrier to the development of adaptable buildings. A clearer articulation of the meaning of adaptability (particularly by clients) during briefing and design could give rise to a more appropriate level of adaptability in the built environment.
Originality/value
This study has addressed a gap in the existing literature by foregrounding the voices of industry practitioners and exploring their (sometimes very different) interpretations of adaptability in buildings.
40 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on how participants link the degree of satisfaction regarding the living conditions and the level of maintenance of facilities and the main instrument for measuring the participants' level of satisfaction is a questionnaire formed by the authors.
Abstract: This paper aims to focus on how participants link the degree of satisfaction regarding the living conditions and the level of maintenance of facilities. The authors were interested in cross-cultural comparison between Slovenia and Serbia.,The main instrument for measuring the participants’ level of satisfaction is a questionnaire formed by the authors. The study of the questionnaire was conducted in two phases. Statistical analysis of the first phase covering factor analysis of the questionnaire and analysis of the reliability of the questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha) in the second phase, descriptive statistics and analysis of variance were used. The study involved 1,006 Slovenian and 385 Serbian participants. Data were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance.,The results show that the Slovenian and Serbian participants express a statistically significant difference in the degree of satisfaction regarding the level of maintenance of the living environment, namely, with regard to the location of the real estate, the size of housing units, central heating and a sense of social belonging to the neighborhood. The overall picture shows that Slovenian participants have a considerably higher degree of satisfaction regarding the living conditions in the neighborhood and regarding the level of maintaining facilities than Serbian participations.,These are potential risks of error arising from the use of assumptions, limited sample size and data from the secondary resources.,The results show that the law must clearly define the obligations of professional managers who will have to hold licenses to manage buildings. The residential community could be put into receivership if it is not organized in compliance with the law until it is regulated. That leads to efficient and streamlined maintenance costs and results in a better-quality living environment where users expect to reflect a higher degree of sense of security, a sense of social belonging to the neighborhood and consequently a higher degree of satisfaction.,In this study, the authors were interested in how the participants link the level of satisfaction with the living conditions and the level of facilities maintenance. In doing so, the authors were also interested in living environment parameters, such as location, size, illumination, noise and old apartments, old neighborhoods, internet access, central heating and a sense of security in the neighborhood, a sense of social belonging and a sense of living environment and suitable economic status.,The major contributions of this paper are as follows: the law must clearly define the obligations of professional managers who will have to hold a license to manage the building. The adoption of the “Facilities Maintenance Law” helped promote the overall legal and economic climate in the country, which led to the increase of investments in all areas of economic and social life, as well as to a higher level of residential “well-being” (sense of security, sense of social belonging to the neighborhood and consequently a higher level of satisfaction).
35 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the impact of public investments in facilities on the potential housing market for older persons by expanding the generally used approach of modelling working-age population to the approach of modeling the cohort of older population is analyzed.
Abstract: Purpose
This paper aims to analyse the impact of public investments in facilities on the potential housing market for older persons by expanding the generally used approach of modelling working-age population to the approach of modelling the cohort of older population.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper introduces an asymmetric approach and normalization to the special case of spatial interaction models, i.e. the Lowry-like model, to analyse significant factors that influence migration flows structured by age cohorts. The model uses publicly available and free databases at the mezzo level in a state. The analysis was performed for inter-municipal interactions of migrants structured by age cohorts.
Findings
The results show the different influences of Lowry’s main factors that influence the migration flows in industrial societies. The higher the average age of migrants, the lower the influences in the Lowry model. But, this is also valid for the impact of investments in public facilities and their management at the mezzo level on older migrants. Furthermore, institutional care facilities in a local community were proven to be an important factor to attract older persons.
Research limitations/implications
The results show that there are other important factors that influence the migration flows of older persons. So, for better results, more structured data on investments and management of the facilities and other more subjective factors should be included in the model.
Practical implications
The paper gives suggestions for further development of the models to analyse the potential housing market for older persons.
Originality/value
In addition to the suggested approach to study the impact of investments in facilities on the older population, this paper also identifies a need for more in-depth studies into this topic in the near future.
33 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the reliability of self-evaluation as a method for measuring the effect of indoor environment quality (IEQ) on the productivity of office workers.
Abstract: Purpose
The purpose of this literature review is to investigate the reliability of self-evaluation as a method for measuring the effect(s) of indoor environment quality (IEQ) on the productivity of office workers. The aim of this review is to identify the various constraints to its adequacy in measuring productivity.
Design/methodology/approach
Thirty studies were selected from peer-reviewed sources and reviewed on their method of measuring productivity. These studies used self-evaluation (questionnaires or interview) as the sole method of measuring the effect of IEQ on productivity/performance.
Findings
This review provides insight on the insufficiencies and biases prevalent in self-evaluation. Various issues that compromised the reliability of self-evaluation results in an office environment were discussed. It was concluded that self-evaluation is not reliable and does not accurately measure occupant productivity.
Research limitations/implications
This study has been a review of past studies and their findings. Further studies that will provide empirical evidence are required to solely test the reliability of self-evaluation in measuring productivity and the effect of factors such as IEQ on it.
Practical implications
The paper calls for further debate on occupant productivity measurement and how the various factors that affect it can be quantified into measurable entities.
Originality/value
This paper fulfils an identified need to revisit the technique of self-evaluation as a method for measuring occupant productivity.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors conducted a large N empirical study in Norway and found that the most important factors during early-phase planning that influence buildings' perceived usability and lifetime value creation are measures promoting environment and life-cycle costs (LCC), FM, adaptability and image.
Abstract: Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to know how do early-phase planning of real estate (RE) and facilities management (FM) create value for owners and users of commercial and public sector buildings.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected in Norway in 2015 through a national online survey (N = 837). The sample gives a good picture of Norwegian owners’ and even users on tactical-level (customer) perspectives on RE and FM. The data have been analysed through descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis. The hypotheses have been tested through analyses of correlations and ordinary least square (OLS) linear regressions.
Findings
Exploratory factor analysis made it possible to establish seven composite variables (constructs). Based on these seven constructs, six hypotheses were derived and tested. Obstacles and financials have no significant effect on buildings’ perceived usability. The most important factors during early-phase planning that influence buildings’ perceived usability and lifetime value creation are measures promoting environment and life-cycle costs (LCC), FM, adaptability and image.
Research limitations/implications
Further empirical and preferably, comparative studies are needed to establish whether the findings can be generalized. The study has shown that a building’s usability and lifetime value creation is largely determined by decisions made during early phase planning.
Practical implications
Well-founded early-phase planning of RE and FM may actually provide very high return on the investments and significantly improve the buildings’ lifetime value creation for owners and users. Early-phase planning is also of great importance both for buildings’ physical design, as well as for successful FM during the buildings’ use phase, and may prevent irreversible blunders.
Originality/value
This is a large N empirical study in Norway. The findings indicate what owner and users of buildings should emphasize during early phase planning.
TL;DR: Capturing multi-modes data into BIM systems using the cloud-based spoken dialogue systems will help construction teams use the high volume of data generated over building lifecycle and search for the most suitable solutions for maintenance problems.
Abstract: Purpose
With the rapid development in the internet technologies, the applications of big data in construction have seen considerable attention. Currently, there are many input/output modes of capturing construction knowledge related to all construction stages. On the other hand, building information modelling (BIM) systems have been developed to help in storing various structured data of buildings. However, these systems cannot fully capture the knowledge and unstructured data used in the operation of building systems in a usable format that uses the intelligent capabilities of BIM systems. Therefore, this research aims to adopt the concept of big data and develop a spoken dialogue BIM system to capture buildings operation knowledge, particularly for building maintenance and refurbishment.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed system integrates cloud-based spoken dialogue system and case-based reasoning BIM system.
Findings
The system acts as an interactive expert agent that seeks answers from the user for questions specific to building maintenance problems and helps searching for solutions from previously stored knowledge cases. The practices of monitoring and maintaining buildings performance can be more efficient by the retrieval of relevant solutions from the captured knowledge to new problems when maintaining buildings components. The developed system enables easier capture and search for solutions to new problems with a more comprehensive retrieval of information.
Originality/value
Capturing multi-modes data into BIM systems using the cloud-based spoken dialogue systems will help construction teams use the high volume of data generated over building lifecycle and search for the most suitable solutions for maintenance problems. This new area of research also contributes to the current BIM systems by advancing their capabilities to instantly capture and retrieve knowledge of operations instead of only information.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compared the energy performance of a conventional office building with a green certified building and found that there is a significant performance gap between predicted or simulated energy measurements to actual operational energy consumption.
Abstract: Purpose
Global warming and climate change is one of the biggest issues facing humanity in this century; its effects are felt on the highest peaks of Mount Everest to the low-lying islands in the India Ocean. This century marked the highest amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted, breaking records of the past 650,000 years, and we have pushed the climate to “a point of no return”. Much of the climate contribution has been linked to humanity’s thirst for higher living standards and lifestyle, which has led to higher consumerism, depletion of earth’s resources, production of massive waste and carbon emissions. Fast forward from the sustainability agenda of Brundtland set in 1987 and the increasing demand for energy consumption to cater for the current global inhabitants, many “green” efforts have been taken by the building industry to reduce the overall environmental impact. This purpose of this study is to compare energy performance of a conventional office building with a green certified building.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper tries to bridge the performance gap by comparing measured operational energy consumption and carbon emission of Green Building Index (GBI)-certified office buildings in Kuala Lumpur, to determine whether “green buildings” are performing as intended in reducing their environmental impact.
Findings
This paper highlighted and compared operational energy consumption and carbon emissions of a GBI-certified office with a conventional office building in Malaysia. The paper also discusses the performance gap issue and its common causes, and aims to compare predicted energy and operational energy performance of buildings.
Originality/value
Initiatives such as “green” or “sustainable” design have been at the forefront of architecture, while green assessment tools have been used to predict the energy performance of a building during its operational phase. There is still a significant performance gap between predicted or simulated energy measurements to actual operational energy consumption. The need to measure actual performance of these so-called “green buildings” is important to investigate if there is a performance gap and whether these buildings can perform better than conventional buildings. Understanding why the performance gap occurs is a step in reducing actual and predicted energy performance in buildings.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the opportunities for facilities management (FM) on the level of participating more actively in the development of new area to help building a competitive and healthy area with high quality for residence, business and spare time.
Abstract: Purpose
Value capture seeks to generate revenue by extracting a portion of the gains in the value of land and property that result from improvements to transportation networks. The paper aims to present the opportunities for facilities management (FM) on the level of participating more actively in the development of new area to help building a competitive and healthy area with high quality for residence, business and spare time. A framework also includes life period land valuation in the land value capture (LVC) for the assessment and revenue models for public private partnership (PPP) type of investments in the way to identify additional private profit so as to attract landlords to join the project.
Design/methodology/approach
Land valuation for expropriation is a useful method, which can be evaluated through the life period of the infrastructure. The value capture strategies are identified and respective policies are evaluated. Periodically, market value assessment of land within the value capture model is designed, by which the private partners could be attracted.
Findings
In the paper, LVC shows how the relation to increase value of land can bring competitive areas and as such give new opportunity for FM.
Originality/value
Capturing land value and widening the internalisation of external positive impacts enhances the perspective of project assessment and PPP financing models. This model may be used by public and private sector parties involved in PPP arrangements to improve project evaluation and the base of project finance.
TL;DR: In this article, a questionnaire survey was conducted among randomly selected occupants in three selected green-rated office buildings in Sri Lanka and the survey data were analyzed by using the Spearman correlation and ordinal logistic regression analysis techniques to model the relationship existing between the variables.
Abstract: Purpose
The purpose of the study presented in this paper is to determine the relationship and effect of built environment on occupants’ productivity in green-certified office buildings in Sri Lanka.
Design/methodology/approach
Two research hypotheses were tested by approaching the survey method under the quantitative phenomenon. The questionnaire survey was conducted among randomly selected occupants in three selected green-rated office buildings in Sri Lanka. The survey data were analysed by using the Spearman correlation and ordinal logistic regression analysis techniques to model the relationship existing between the variables. The SPSS v20 software was used in data analysis.
Findings
The findings confirm the relationship between built environment and occupants’ productivity. As it further proves that, there is a significant effect of built environment on occupants’ productivity in green-certified office buildings. Thus, critical built environment factors influencing occupants’ productivity and their effect were determined.
Practical implications
The findings could be practically implied as bases to strengthen the evaluation criteria of indoor environmental quality in GREENSL® national green-rating system.
Originality/value
The evaluation of occupants’ productivity and the built environment factors has been at the focal point of research; however, most studies have focused on single aspects of the built environment. Further, no evidences were found on “which factors” can critically influence the occupants’ productivity in green buildings. The paper, therefore, seeks to fill this gap by proving the relationship between green built environment and occupants’ productivity.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the impact that the research of environmental stress, namely, poor housing and poor neighbourhood quality, had on the contemporary understanding of human-built environment relations.
Abstract: Purpose
In comparison with the relations between the human and natural environments that have been the central focus of environmental psychology for many years, the interactions between the psychological processes underlying human behaviour and the built environment have only recently regained the interest of researchers. In this paper, the author first discusses the reasons for the slower development of human – built environment relations. Afterwards, the author systematically examines the impact that the research of environmental stress, namely, poor housing and poor neighbourhood quality, had on the contemporary understanding of human – built environment relations.
Design/methodology/approach
The author focuses on social, biophilic and evidence-based design. The author proposes deeper psychological engagement in correlation with human behaviour, psychological well-being and society. The author highlights the inclusion of psychologists in interdisciplinary research teams addressing the development of sustainable solutions to the issues of residential environments.
Findings
It has been shown that substandard house quality, high noise, lack of natural light in houses, poorer physical quality of urban neighbourhoods, living in a low-income neighbourhood, etc. are linked to elevated physiological and psychological stress. Despite this evidence, there is still a gap between building designers and building users in modern industrialised societies, which could deepen tenants’ dissatisfaction due to specific behavioural needs and consequently lower their psychological well-being and health risk behaviour.
Research limitations/implications
These are potential risks of error arising from the use of assumptions, limited samples size and data from the secondary resources.
Originality/value
The major contributions of this paper are as follows. If the environment is understood as a dynamic, constantly changing and complex system of a wide range of players, the author can discern in this environment a dynamic that is otherwise characteristic of emotional dynamics. Expressed participants’ high satisfaction with residential status does not necessarily generate high expectations regarding real estate factors.
TL;DR: In this paper, a self-administrated survey involving 1,009 respondents in selected public universities in Malaysia was carried out to assess energy consumption behavior for student accommodations in Malaysian public universities.
Abstract: Purpose
In working towards a sustainable campus of public universities, energy consumption behaviour assessment is one of the several issues that requires attention by the facilities manager. Information on energy consumption behaviour is needed to determine potential energy savings. The purpose of this study is to assess energy consumption behaviour for student accommodations in Malaysian public universities.
Design/methodology/approach
This study focuses on developing energy consumption behaviour models (ECBMs) and assesses the potential energy savings. The “energy culture” framework consolidated with multiple regression analysis is used to strengthen the development of ECBMs. A self-administrated survey involving 1,009 respondents in selected public universities was carried out.
Findings
The result shows that five factors from the energy culture framework contribute to energy consumption behaviour, namely, building regulation, environmental concern, education, social marketing and direct factors (device and activities). These factors are included in the model for predicting energy consumption levels. The results show that there is a 78 per cent difference in energy consumption between the observed and predicted data.
Practical implications
This study indicates a high potential energy saving among students of Malaysian public universities.
Originality/value
The model was tested against the overall students among Malaysian public universities. In future, the model can be tested within hostel accommodations. The present assessment revealed the potential energy saving among the hostel buildings and sets the target regarding which building has a potential to reduce energy. It also helps the facilities managers to come up with strategies for programmes and energy policy in public universities.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors report a case study on the co-creation of a digital facilities management service during the Mission Bay medical center construction project for the University of California, San Francisco.
Abstract: Purpose
This study aims to increase understanding about the co-creation of digital facilities management (FM) services with and for FM during a construction project
Design/methodology/approach
The paper reports a case study on the co-creation of a digital facilities management service during the Mission Bay medical center construction project for the University of California, San Francisco The sub-contractors and the FM team co-created a quick-response (QR) code system for valves on the project This digital service is now used by the FM team for training purposes and in emergency situations when information on valves and their service areas is quickly needed Researchers made on-site observations, conducted 84 interviews and reviewed archival data in 2012, 2014 and 2016
Findings
The findings show that a successful co-creation process consists of three elements: a dialogue between the project parties, the creation of shared context between the project parties and the creation of shared understanding about the FM’s needs and the service providers’ ways of satisfying those needs The study describes ways to promote these elements
Originality/value
Previous studies emphasize the need for digital FM but few explain how FM teams can be involved in creating digital services for them This paper describes how to co-create digital FM services with and for FM in the context of a construction project
TL;DR: The response of a room to the difference between internal and external temperatures is used to demonstrate patterns in thermal response across monitored rooms in a single building, to clearly show where rooms are underperforming in terms of their ability to retain heat during unconditioned hours as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Purpose
The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the use of historical building performance data to identify potential issues with the build quality and operation of a building, as a means of narrowing the scope of in-depth further review.
Design/methodology/approach
The response of a room to the difference between internal and external temperatures is used to demonstrate patterns in thermal response across monitored rooms in a single building, to clearly show where rooms are under-performing in terms of their ability to retain heat during unconditioned hours. This procedure is applied to three buildings of different types, identifying the scope and limitation of this method and indicating areas of building performance deficiency.
Findings
The response of a single space to changing internal and external temperatures can be used to determine whether it responds differently to other monitored buildings. Spaces where thermal bridging and changes in use from design were encountered exhibit noticeably different responses.
Research limitations/implications
Application of this methodology is limited to buildings where temperature monitoring is undertaken both internally for a variety of spaces, and externally, and where knowledge of the uses of monitored spaces is available. Naturally ventilated buildings would be more suitable for analysis using this method.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the understanding of building energy performance from a data-driven perspective, to the knowledge on the disparity between building design intent and reality, and to the use of basic commonly recorded performance metrics for analysis of potentially detrimental building performance issues.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed the factors that influence sustainability assessment of preliminary design of facilities and predicted sustainability assessment depending on those factors, including work experience, work on several outline design proposals, resolving issues between stakeholders, prioritization of participants in the design phase, procurement management and defining projects program and goals.
Abstract: Purpose
Integrating the aspects of sustainability into facilities design has become a designers’ challenge, and the early design phase is seen as the most important in implementing sustainability into facilities design. Therefore, this paper aims to analyze the factors that influence sustainability assessment of preliminary design of facilities and predicts sustainability assessment depending on those factors.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected by survey questionnaire distributed to project managers using a six-point Likert scale. Obtained data were modeled with general regression neural network (GRNN) using DTREG software. In total, 27 factors were chosen for determining the most accurate predictive model, and their importance was computed.
Findings
The six most important factors for sustainability assessment of facilities design are: work experience, work on several outline design proposals, resolving issues between stakeholders, prioritization of participants in the design phase, procurement management and defining projects’ program and goals. The predictive model that was used for prediction of the sustainability assessment was shown to be highly accurate, with MAPE (mean absolute percentage error) amounting to 2.58 per cent.
Practical implications
Using the same approach, assessment of every other factor for the preliminary design can be predicted and the factors that are most influential to its sustainability can be obtained.
Originality/value
The paper supports the sustainability improvement of the preliminary design of future facilities’ projects, as well as support during the decision-making process.
TL;DR: The study recommends that designers and facilities managers review the micro-climate settings to harness available natural lighting and ventilation, introduce bimetallic strips to the heating systems to maintain a suitable water temperature and install large, easy-to-understand and graphic signage for straightforward wayfinding in C&A homes.
Abstract: Purpose
Quality of life (QoL) for elderly residents of care and attention (C&A) homes has become an important consideration, given the increasingly aging population. Due to the number of hours such residents spend indoors, the quality of the facilities can contribute to their day-to-day QoL. This study aims to investigate the effect of facilities management (FM) on the QoL of Chinese elderly people living in C&A homes.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey of perceived satisfaction with the components of FM and QoL was carried out with a sample of residents. A total of 18 FM components and five QoL domains, including physical health, independence, psychological health, social relationships and living environment, as well as overall QoL, were identified.
Findings
The findings show that physical health is influenced by accessibility, doors and windows and signage; independence can be improved by enhancing accessibility, water supply, lighting and ventilation; accessibility, water supply, distance and doors and windows all predict psychological health; social relationships are improved by lighting and ventilation; distance impacts positively on the living environment; and overall QoL is predicted by lighting, ventilation, accessibility, doors and windows, handrails, recreation and signage.
Originality/value
The study recommends that designers and facilities managers review the micro-climate settings to harness available natural lighting and ventilation, introduce bimetallic strips to the heating systems to maintain a suitable water temperature and install large, easy-to-understand and graphic signage for straightforward wayfinding in C&A homes.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors conducted a study to assess the level of students' satisfaction with the provision of university hostel accommodation facility using build-operate-transfer (BOT) model at University of Lagos (Unilag), Nigeria.
Abstract: Purpose
Although studies on student residential satisfaction abound, yet there are limited studies conducted on students’ satisfaction in respect of hostel accommodation facilities undertaken through public-private partnerships (PPPs) in Nigeria. The purpose of this study is to assess the level of students’ satisfaction with the provision of university hostel accommodation facility using build-operate-transfer (BOT) model at University of Lagos (Unilag), Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted literature review and questionnaire survey within the case study of a BOT hostel accommodation facility at Unilag in Nigeria. The students who reside at the case study were the respondents. Hence, 153 self-administered questionnaires were purposively distributed face-to-face to the entire student population that live in the BOT hostel. Thus, a total of 96 completed questionnaires representing 63 per cent were collected and found suitable for the analysis. The data collected were analysed using the mean score and chi-square (χ2) test.
Findings
The study revealed a total mean satisfaction level of 3.46 (on a 5-point Likert scale), which indicates that students are “somehow satisfied” with the university hostel accommodation facility undertaken through BOT. The study further established that age and level of students have no significant influence on the overall students’ satisfaction with their hostel accommodation facility undertaken through BOT.
Practical implications
The study would provide valuable feedback to private investors, university authorities and facility managers of higher education institutions to improve their services in the near future.
Originality/value
The identified variables that have tested to be significant in assessing students’ level of satisfaction in BOT hostel accommodation facilities could be used to assess users’ satisfaction in similar facilities delivered through PPPs in other countries.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify the facilities maintenance employees' priority on safety management practices and relationship to safety performance, and present empirical findings on the relationship between employee priority on SAF elements and safety performance.
Abstract: Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the facilities maintenance employees’ priority on safety management practices and relationship to safety performance. The study aims to increase the safety performance among the facilities maintenance contractor by implementing safety management practices.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected by distributing questionnaire forms to the employees of selected facilities maintenance contractors representing general workers, technicians and executive- and the management-level employees. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation and multiple regressions.
Findings
The descriptive results revealed that the employee priority on safety management practices is fairly “low”. The correlation and regression analyses tested and satisfied that management commitment, workers involvement in safety, safety training, safety communication and feedback, safety rules and procedures, and safety promotion policies significantly and strongly correlate with the degree and level of satisfaction to the safety performance.
Research limitations/implications
This research focuses only on facilities maintenance contractors working in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. It is possible that respondents from other areas or states may allow comparisons across different locations.
Practical implications
There are many factors affecting safety performance. By implementing safety management practices, high safety performance can be achieved in the facilities maintenance organisations in Malaysia.
Originality/value
This paper presents empirical findings on the relationship between employee priority on safety management practices elements and safety performance.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on the perspectives of facility managers in each region and the different challenges impacting collaboration in each geographical context, and analyze obstacles to collaboration between facility managers and architectural designers in three international regions.
Abstract: Purpose
The aim of this study is to focus on the perspectives of facility managers in each region and the different challenges impacting collaboration in each geographical context. This research analyzed obstacles to collaboration between facility managers and architectural designers in three international regions.
Design/methodology/approach
A multi-method approach was used, allowing the researchers to triangulate data from in-depth interviews and a widely distributed survey instrument. The participants included a large cross-selection of facility management professionals in each of the regions under study. The interview data were parsed to identify recurring themes, while the survey data were analyzed statistically to test specific hypotheses.
Findings
Significant differences were found in the culture of the facility management profession in each region. These differences created unique challenges for collaboration, especially in the context of a non-local design team. While the facility management profession was perceived as most established and professional in the UK, rates of collaboration between facility managers and designers were actually much higher in the USA. Collaborations between facility managers and designers were almost non-existent in the Middle East.
Originality/value
While the importance of collaboration between facility managers and designers is increasingly recognized for improving the efficiency of building operations, crucial obstacles continue to limit the scope of this engagement. There has been limited previous research analyzing obstacles to collaboration that are specific to international contexts and non-local design teams. This study helps to fill an important gap in the literature by providing a comparative analysis of collaboration challenges in three international contexts.
TL;DR: The research team tackled the problem of limited use of building sustainability assessment methods due to specific boundary conditions by determining a widely applicable set of categories and related indicators based upon an extensive analysis of existing assessment methods, standardisation development, formal guidelines and strategic (inter)national frameworks.
Abstract: Purpose
The paper aims to present the core part of the research work done within the FP7 OPEN HOUSE project, aiming to merge existing methodologies for sustainability assessment of buildings towards a common view, applicable as an open access assessment method across European Union (EU). One of the principle tasks was to evaluate the applicability of proposed indicators in EU countries with different legal frameworks, climate conditions, status and condition of the building stock and construction tradition.
Design/methodology/approach
To reach the goal, it had to be established first whether the pre-selected indicators suit the purpose in countries different from each other regarding various influential factors. A questionnaire survey based on close-ended quantitative thematic questions was performed to evaluate the acceptability and relevance of each indicator in national contexts, thus defining the path for the final protocol of selection criteria for the OPEN HOUSE method.
Findings
The responses enabled and justified necessary minor corrections and regrouping to define the full (56 indicators) and core (30 indicators) indicator sets, demonstrating that the system is applicable in EU countries. This task made ground for finalisation of the OPEN HOUSE method: definition of evaluation procedures and sustainability performance levels and testing of the approach on demo cases.
Originality/value
This paper shows how the research team tackled the problem of limited use of building sustainability assessment methods due to specific boundary conditions by determining a widely applicable set of categories and related indicators based upon an extensive analysis of existing assessment methods, standardisation development, formal guidelines and strategic (inter)national frameworks.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explain why construction groups facing opportunities for product system innovations, such as green buildings, may choose to integrate construction and property development, taking on facilities management (FM) for a limited period.
Abstract: Purpose: The aim of this paper is to explain why construction groups facing opportunities for product system innovations, such as green buildings, may choose to integrate construction and property development, taking on facilities management (FM) for a limited period.
Design/methodology/approach: Conceptual analysis based on prior literature and illustrated by a single case of integration.
Findings: For product system innovations, an in-house developer should be more able to reduce uncertainty than independent developers, due to unobservable long-term technological quality for customers, because the property becomes associated with lower risk after having been owned and operated. Alternatives such as building certification systems support incremental innovations, warranties suffer from double moral hazard in the long run and risk allocation in public–private partnership projects often fails to encourage system innovations. Integration allows the contractor to work continuously with innovative projects, developing new capabilities, which allow the firm to signal proficiency to the market, employees and the investment community.
Research limitations/implications: The phenomenon is new, and further empirical surveys are needed to confirm the hypothetical conclusions drawn here.
Practical implications: The value of close collaboration between those who develop innovative green building technologies and facilities managers is outlined.
Originality/value: The relation between the scope of corporate activities in construction groups, technological innovations and FM has not been studied before.
TL;DR: In this paper, a conceptual digital prototype of a VF is developed in a BIM environment using design science, and the results showed that BIM to manage a vertical farm has not been researched or explored yet.
Abstract: Purpose
The UN statistics shows that the world’s population is expected to be 9 billion by the 2050. As a result, the food production must also to be raised 70% or more. Vertical Farming (VF) is an innovative alternative approaches to meet the challenges, however, its management will also be a challenge. This paper, therefore, shares the understanding of future food challenges and, BIM and its application to manage the facility.
Design/methodology/approach
A conceptual digital prototype of a VF is developed in a BIM environment using design science. First the data is collected from literature review and then analysed and simulated for optimum conditions in a BIM enabled digital prototype.
Findings
The results showed that BIM to manage a Vertical Farm has not been researched or explored yet. However, Building Information Modelling (BIM) has proven its numerous benefits to the AEC and FM industry, and it is a powerful solution to design and manage Vertical Farms to solve future food production problems.
Originality/value
There is a very limited research on vertical farming in the literature, and BIM for vertical farming is also not discussed or researched yet. The originality and value of this research stems from both Expanding BIM horizons, and designing and managing vertical farm.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigate the differences in the perception of service quality among various demographic and behavioural visitor segments within the theme park tourism market, and confirm that differences in demographic characteristics significantly affect perceptions of visitors as demonstrated in the way they are likely to evaluate importance and performance factors in a theme park's delivery of services.
Abstract: Purpose
The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the perception of service quality among various demographic and behavioural visitor segments within the theme park tourism market.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire which was distributed to 655 theme park visitors. Different groups of visitors were identified through the use of cluster analysis based on the evaluation of both demographic variables and a number of behavioural factors associated with their characteristics in terms of “time and cost” allocations for visits to a theme park.
Findings
The findings confirm that differences in demographic characteristics significantly affect perceptions of visitors as demonstrated in the way they are likely to evaluate importance and performance factors in a theme park’s delivery of services. In contrast, behavioural segmentation in terms of time allocation and associated expenditure is unlikely to produce significant differences in the visitors’ perceptions of the level of service provided.
Originality/value
Although there are many studies related to visitors’ perceived service quality, none of them use the same methodology as applied in this study of theme park industry. The research results reveal important implications for the theme park industry because of this new understanding of the segmentation differences for visitor-perceived service quality. By directing attention of management to these differences, improvements in service quality perceptions can more readily be achieved.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identified opportunities, barriers and guidelines for future research in behavioral energy interventions in commercial buildings and proposed a three-step screening protocol with a collection of prior publications, clustering of related studies and results and analysis of the findings of the prior studies.
Abstract: Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify opportunities, barriers and guidelines for future research in behavioral energy interventions in commercial buildings.
Design/methodology/approach
The study methodology includes a three-step screening protocol with a collection of prior publications, clustering of related studies and results and analysis of the findings of the prior studies.
Findings
The review showed that commercial energy interventions were generally successful at impacting occupant energy consumption. Most energy savings were obtained by applying comparative feedback and energy competition strategies, but the lack of long-term effect measurements prevents drawing conclusions regarding their long-term effectiveness. The authors suggest that future studies should explore the impacts that occupant characteristics, environment and community and intervention implementation have on the success of the energy intervention, and integrate these findings into the intervention design. In addition, the authors call for more discussion on the feasibility issues that researchers, policymakers and educators face when implementing these energy interventions to streamline sustainability efforts in the future.
Originality/value
Research on assessing the effectiveness of occupant behavior interventions has increased considerably over the past decade. This review includes a structured analysis of prior studies of behavioral energy interventions in commercial buildings and encompasses studies conducted between 2005 and 2015. The review is unique in that it focuses on comparing empirical studies that quantified measured energy savings.