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The Future of Facilities Management and Sustainable Development

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Engineering and Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2021) | Viewed by 107926

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Dr. Alex Opoku

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Guest Editor

College of Engineering, Department of Architectural Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
Interests: built environment; sustainable development; SDGs

Prof. Dr. Jeoung Yul Lee

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Guest Editor

Department of Global Management, School of Business Management, Hongik University, Sejong 30016, Korea
Interests: international business; emerging market MNEs; MNE innovation; corporate social responsibility; business ethics
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This special issue is aimed at exploring innovative approaches in the Facilities Management (FM) sector towards the realisation of the sustainable development agenda. Facilities Management (FM) is currently shifting emphasis towards a long-term focus through the adoption of maintenance and operation practices that considers the social, environmental and economic benefits of all business decisions. The Facilities Management (FM) sector is engaging with sustainable development agenda as the whole built environment continuous to evolve. Brochner et al. (2019) argue that digitalization and sustainability are the two main forces that have shaped FM since the 1970s and this is impacting on the role of Facility Managers.

Sustainable FM can be into building performance; sustainability tools and standards; user perception, satisfaction and productivity; sustainability management; construction and sustainable building materials; building design and sustainability; urban development; and benefit of green buildings (Nielsen et al., 2016). A study by Collins et al. (2019) that explored the gap between sustainable buildings and sustainable FM believe that there is the need to bridge the traditional gap between design, construction and FM demands more effective solutions based on life cycle assessments. The adoption of sustainable FM practices will reduce energy, water and waste in the maintenance and operation of buildings. However, Lok et al. (2018) add that organisational level support is required for the smooth adoption of sustainable FM practices and processes.

References

Brochner, J.; Haugen, T.; Lindkvist, C. Shaping tomorrow’s facilities management. Facilities 2019, 37, 366–380.
Collins, D.; Haugen, T.; Lindkvist, C.; Aamodt, C. Bridging the gap between sustainable FM and sustainable buildings—an exploratory study of six public buildings in Norway. Facilities 2019, 37, 639–652.
Lok KL, Opoku A, Baldry D. Design of Sustainable Outsourcing Services for Facilities Management: Critical Success Factors. Sustainability 2018, 10, 2292.
Nielsen, S.B.; Sarasoja, A.L.; Galamba, K.R. Sustainability in facilities management: an overview of current research. Facilities 2016, 34, 535–563.

Dr. Alex Opoku
Dr. Jeoung Yul Lee
Guest Editors

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Keywords

Facilities management and the SDGs
Outsourcing FM services
BIM and facilities Management
Facility management and digitalization
Occupants Wellbeing and Facilities Management
Life Cycle Costing
Sustainable Maintenance and operation management
Space Planning and Management
FM Managers and Sustainable Development
Facility management, HR/OB and sustainability

Published Papers (13 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research

5 pages, 194 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

The Future of Facilities Management: Managing Facilities for Sustainable Development

by Alex Opoku and Jeoung Yul Lee

Sustainability 2022, 14(3), 1705; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031705 - 1 Feb 2022

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 8311

Abstract

Facilities management (FM) is currently shifting emphasis towards a long-term focus through the adoption of maintenance and operation practices that considers the social, environmental, and economic benefits of all business decisions [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Facilities Management and Sustainable Development)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

14 pages, 1411 KiB

Open AccessArticle

AHP, a Reliable Method for Quality Decision Making: A Case Study in Business

by Irina Canco, Drita Kruja and Tiberiu Iancu

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13932; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413932 - 16 Dec 2021

Cited by 60 | Viewed by 8473

Abstract

Decision making is a significant responsibility for business managers, their decisions impacting business performance. Managers are therefore interested in acquiring and implementing reliable methods for making decisions both now and in the future. Currently, in the countries in the Albanian-speaking regions of the Western Balkans, intuitive decision-making methods predominate. In order to find appropriate methods for assessing and prioritizing goals, new approaches to decision making should be adopted. Various methods have been developed for multi-criteria decision making. One of these is the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method—a method which should receive more attention than it has up to now. We would like to show that the AHP method could be of great use in decision making. Through a case study, this paper explores the AHP, a method with three levels in which the identification of decision-making criteria is based on the perceptions of managers and consumers. The paper’s findings offer an important guide for managers to improve decision making and enhance performance in competitive markets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Facilities Management and Sustainable Development)

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29 pages, 913 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Literature Review on Digitalization in Facilities Management and Facilities Management Performance Measurement: Contribution of Industry 4.0 in the Global Era

by Jeoung Yul Lee, Ilkhom Okmirzaevich Irisboev and Yeon-Sik Ryu

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13432; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313432 - 4 Dec 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 6960

Abstract

In this study, our aim is to present a comprehensive systematic review on digitalization (DT) in facility management (FM) and FM performance management (PM). Past research on these themes indicated that either research articles on DT in FM or research studies on FM PM are separately dealt with. However, in contrast, in our literature review, we try to present a holistic literature review by integrating both research streams on DT applications for FM and FM PM. A total 130 academic journal articles published on these subjects, between 1990 and 2021, from Web of Science and Google Scholars, were reviewed in this article. Moreover, this article identified a number of possibilities for future research on DT and FM PM, including the interoperability enhancement of building information modeling (BIM) methodology, the test and implementation of BIM concept for smart transportation infrastructure, usage of the integration of 3D analysis algorithms, the perfect cross integration of BIM and geographic information system (GIS) and systematic research efforts with new methodologies and theoretical constructs. We hope that this article will help researchers determine the areas where further research must be conducted and what kind of future directions would be valuable for DT and PM in FM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Facilities Management and Sustainable Development)

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21 pages, 3964 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Critical Role of the Construction Industry in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Delivering Projects for the Common Good

by Wenmei Fei, Alex Opoku, Kofi Agyekum, James Anthony Oppon, Vian Ahmed, Charles Chen and Ka Leung Lok

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 9112; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169112 - 14 Aug 2021

Cited by 56 | Viewed by 27403

Abstract

In 2015, the United Nations (UN) adopted the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development, which set out 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 169 targets and 231 unique indicators as a significant initiative towards socio-economic development. The SDGs provide the construction industry with a new lens through which global needs and desires can be translated into business solutions. This paper explores the role of the construction industry in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The paper uses an explanatory sequential design with an initial quantitative instrument phase, followed by a qualitative data collection phase. Following a comparative review of the literature on the 17 SDGs, a questionnaire was designed and administered among 130 respondents, and 105 responses were received. These data were then validated through semi-structured interviews with 16 sustainable construction experts. Data obtained from the semi-structured validation interviews were analysed through side-by-side comparisons of the qualitative data with the quantitative data. The findings show that the construction industry has a critical role in achieving almost all the 17 SDGs. The roles were, however, prevalent in 10 key SDGs, namely: sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11); climate action (SDG 13); clean water and sanitation (SDG 6); responsible consumption and production (SDG 12); industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9); life on land (biodiversity) (SDG 15); gender equality (SDG 5); good health and well-being (SDG 3); affordable and clean energy (SDG 7); decent work and economic growth (SDG 8). The study confirmed the role played by the construction industry in achieving these SDGs. The findings from this study provide further insights into the ever-increasing state-of-the-art regarding the construction industry’s role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Facilities Management and Sustainable Development)

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25 pages, 1413 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Challenges of Sustainable Development on Facilities Management Outsourcing Services: An Investigation in Educational Facilities

by Ka Leung Lok, Andrew Smith, Alex Opoku and Charles Chen

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8156; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158156 - 21 Jul 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3993

Abstract

(1) Background: Generally, firms are reluctant to report outsourcing failures, no matter what industry they operate within. To eliminate poor performance of outsourced service providers, it is necessary to establish a specific outsourcing relationship model for facilities management (FM). The purpose of this paper is to study the concept of outsourcing relationships in relation to FM and to investigate the design of the critical success factors on sustainable outsourcing strategies through a discussion of four dimensions (ownership of FM assets, control of FM assets, competitive position and long-term plan). (2) Methods: Based on two questionnaire surveys, data were collected from 38 clients and 34 service providers. The study evaluated the FM outsourcing strategies from critical success factors in educational facilities in Hong Kong. (3) Results: This study explains the impact of FM outsourcing strategies on Hong Kong’s four commonly outsourced FM contracts including building maintenance, security, cleaning and catering from the clients’ and service providers’ point of view. (4) Conclusions: This is the outsourcing way forward in order to create a better working environment conducive for all the parties that would result in better sustainability of FM’s future and thus impact the economic objectives of sustainable development, in parallel with adding social and environmental value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Facilities Management and Sustainable Development)

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18 pages, 2675 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Adoption of Satellite Offices in Response to a Pandemic: Sustainability and Infection Control

by Seungbeom Kim, Yooneun Lee and Byungchul Choi

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 8008; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13148008 - 17 Jul 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3770

Abstract

The office environment has changed rapidly due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak. Companies consider various types of remote work environments to contain the spread of the virus. Among them, a satellite office is a type of remote work environment where a number of employees are allocated to their nearest office. The benefits from satellite offices are twofold: The significant reduction of travel distance also reduces the amount of carbon emission and fuel consumption. In addition, dividing employees into smaller groups significantly reduces the potential risks of infection in the office. This paper addresses a satellite office allocation problem that considers social and environmental sustainability and infection control at work. In order to evaluate the effect of different satellite office allocation, quantitative measures are developed for the following three criteria: carbon emission, fuel consumption, and the probability of infection occurrence at work. Simulation experiments are conducted to investigate different scenarios of regional infection rate and modes of transportation. The results show that adopting satellite offices not only reduces carbon emission and fuel consumption, but also mitigates business disruption in the pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Facilities Management and Sustainable Development)

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18 pages, 2556 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing a Building Information Model for an Existing Building with Data from a Sustainable Facility Management Database

by Ryan Loeh, Jess W. Everett, William T. Riddell and Douglas B. Cleary

Sustainability 2021, 13(13), 7014; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137014 - 22 Jun 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2666

Abstract

This study investigates the feasibility and benefits of transferring data between Autodesk Revit (used for building information modeling (BIM)) and BUILDER SMS (used for sustainable facility management (SFM)). Two data transfer methods were evaluated using a case study; one involved entirely manual data transfer, the other a combination of manual and automatic. Of the data transfer methods evaluated, the manual/automated hybrid was determined to be the best option, especially when regular updates are envisioned. The case study produced an enhanced BIM model that can be used to support sustainable facility management, called here an SFM-enhanced BIM model. An integration workflow is proposed for efficiently creating future SFM-enhanced BIM models. A focus group of facilities management professionals evaluated the case study BIM model. The focus group was most interested in the visualization capabilities—e.g., filtered views for condition assessments—and the ability to view the BIM model on a tablet/mobile device during on-site operation and maintenance activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Facilities Management and Sustainable Development)

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28 pages, 770 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Sustainable Facility Management Outsourcing Relationships System: Artificial Neural Networks

by Ka Leung Lok, Albert So, Alex Opoku and Charles Chen

Sustainability 2021, 13(9), 4740; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13094740 - 23 Apr 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2857

Abstract

The Contingency Outsourcing Relationship (CORE) model originated from the Four Outsourcing Relationship Types (FORT) model; the CORE model is used in the globalized Facility Management (FM) industry, while the FORT model is originally used in the global information technology industry. The purpose of this paper is to thoroughly analyse the simulated case studies of the four different categories (i.e., in-house, technical expertise, commitment and common goals) of the CORE model from the perspective of the various clients. This study builds on the previous work on the outsourcing relationships between a client and a globalized FM service provider. It further explores the application of this model with the aid of artificial neural networks (ANNs) towards a sustainable future. A quantitative methodology through a survey is used to analyse eight outsourcing strategies for the four outsourcing relationships. A set of revised rules of the CORE is introduced and discussed regarding the approaches to investigate the four simulated outsourcing relationship systems. The study further reveals that an interesting understanding of the four outsourcing categories can be systematically and efficiently implemented into the FM outsourcing relationships through the methodology of scientific Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is concluded that FM outsourcing categorization may help to define the appropriate relationships. This further detailed outcome generated from the ANN can be clearly considered a strong and solid reference to define and explain the existing outsourcing relationships between the stakeholders and the service providers with the aim to assign an outsourcing category to the FM relationship between the client and service provider based on the learnt rules. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Facilities Management and Sustainable Development)

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22 pages, 1072 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Implementing Remote Working Policy in Corporate Offices in Thailand: Strategic Facility Management Perspective

by Waynika Tanpipat, Huey Wen Lim and Xiaomei Deng

Sustainability 2021, 13(3), 1284; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031284 - 26 Jan 2021

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 8677

Abstract

There was a sudden shift in the way people work during the COVID-19 pandemic. To keep business continuity, many organizations have implemented a remote working policy for employees to work from home. Strategic facility management (FM) acted to support remote working policies by developing organizational norms in an organization. Meanwhile, the human resource (HR) department chose to achieve business performance while remote working by gaining job motivation among employees. However, there is limited understanding of how well organizations adapted to the remote working policy, and what are the critical factors affecting their remote work performance. The present study aimed to explore the effect of organizational norms on remote working, on remote work productivity, and organizational commitment among Thai employees. The study conducted an online questionnaire survey to a total of 414 Thai employees from various corporate offices. Hierarchical component modeling was applied and achieved a good model fit on the measurement and structural models. Results indicated that organizational norm has a significant effect on perceived productivity and organizational commitment, while sustaining work demand. Moreover, employees’ job motivation can sustain employees’ commitment to the organization in a remote working context. These findings proposed the strategic FM guide, through which a remote working policy can further enhance FM practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Facilities Management and Sustainable Development)

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20 pages, 472 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Analysis of Physical Asset Management Core Practices and Their Influence on Operational Performance

by Damjan Maletič, Matjaž Maletič, Basim Al-Najjar and Boštjan Gomišček

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9097; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219097 - 31 Oct 2020

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 7342

Abstract

The commitment of organisations to physical assets management (PAM) has recently received considerable attention in theory and practice. Indeed, PAM plays a key role in asset-intensive organizations and is also considered as a principal actor within Industry 4.0. Therefore, this paper aims to examine the PAM core practices and the performance implications of integrating these practices into business, in particular by assessing their impact on operational performance. Survey data were collected from managers in 138 international and local organisations. The data was analysed using Partial Least Squares Path Modeling (PLS-PM). The study validates the second-order construct consisting of PAM latent variables, namely Strategy and Planning, Risk management, Lifecycle Delivery, Asset Information, and Asset Review. The results have shown that PAM core practices directly influence operational performance. This paper is a response to recent calls for empirical studies on the organisational approaches that can increase the success of organisations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Facilities Management and Sustainable Development)

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31 pages, 2428 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Strategic Aspects of Asset Management: An Overview of Current Research

by Elizaveta Gavrikova, Irina Volkova and Yegor Burda

Sustainability 2020, 12(15), 5955; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12155955 - 23 Jul 2020

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 13121

Abstract

Major shifts in the competitive environment encouraged a recent growth in the number of academic articles devoted to strategic aspects of asset management. Organizations start to recognize that a strategic approach to asset management becomes a source of sustainable competitive advantages and long-term survival in the turbulent environment. However, existing studies are largely case-specific in interpreting strategy and draw on various theoretical grounds and approaches. This leads to little theoretical and methodological consistency in understanding current findings and how to design future studies. The key goal of this paper is to systematically review the existing research through the analysis of over 700 articles devoted to asset management with a focus on strategic aspects. Our key contributions are positioning strategic asset management within the vast field of asset management research, describing the nature of strategic asset management research, and confirming that asset management strategies align with different levels of organizational strategy. We visualize the existing research field, and indicate gaps and underdeveloped areas of research. We also shortly outline future research directions based on our findings, thus encouraging a more coherent development of research on strategic asset management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Facilities Management and Sustainable Development)

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24 pages, 4925 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Investigation into Stakeholders’ Perception of Smart Campus Criteria: The American University of Sharjah as a Case Study

by Vian Ahmed, Karam Abu Alnaaj and Sara Saboor

Sustainability 2020, 12(12), 5187; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12125187 - 25 Jun 2020

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 6113

Abstract

In recent times, smart cities and sustainable development have drawn significant research attention. Among developed and developing countries, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been at the forefront in becoming an incubator for smart cities; in particular, it has placed some efforts in the education sector by transforming the traditional campus into a Smart Campus. As the term Smart Campus attracts professionals and academics from multiple disciplines, and the technology keeps intervening in every aspect of life, it becomes inevitable for the Smart Campus to take place and deploy the future vision of smart cities. As a first step to achieve this vision, it is very important to develop a clear understanding of what is a Smart Campus. To date, there is still no clear perception of what a Smart Campus would look like, or what are the main components that can form a Smart Campus. Therefore, the objective of this research is to use the set of comprehensive criteria to identify what it is perceived to be a Smart Campus and evaluate these criteria from the stakeholders’ perception. The main criteria are defined from the literature review, and a case study is conducted on the American University of Sharjah campus stakeholders (faculty, students, management, and Information Technology (IT)) to assess the designated criteria. This exploratory research relies on both qualitative and quantitative methods to perform the analysis, taking into consideration the perceptions of students, faculty, and IT service providers. Finally, having defined and evaluated the criteria that underpin the Smart Campus framework, a set of recommendations are drawn to guide the utilization of a Smart Campus within higher education settings. This research opens the doors for future studies to gain a deeper insight into the type of decisions that need to be made to transform a traditional campus to a Smart Campus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Facilities Management and Sustainable Development)

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16 pages, 2021 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Barrier Analysis and Strength Measurement of a Prefabricated Building Design

by Zhenmin Yuan, Guodong Ni, Linxiu Wang, Yaning Qiao, Chengshuang Sun, Na Xu and Wenshun Wang

Sustainability 2020, 12(7), 2994; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12072994 - 8 Apr 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3276

Abstract

As a sustainable and cleaner type of facility, prefabricated buildings face more design barriers than traditional non-prefabricated buildings. Identifying and managing these barriers is key to improving the success rate of prefabricated building design. However, direct studies on these design barriers are extremely rare. The present study solved this problem by combining multiple methods, including grounded theory (GT), structured self-intersection matrix (SSIM), analytic network process (ANP), and the linear weighted sum method (LWSM). GT was adopted to identify the barriers to prefabricated building design and then SSIM was used to analyze the interactions among them. The eight design barriers were finally identified and classified into three clusters: technical barriers, economic barriers, and management barriers. A further analysis found that there is dependence and feedback among these clusters. The technical barrier cluster and management barrier cluster experience self-feedback. A network model based on ANP was next established to calculate the weights of the barrier elements and then this model was combined with LWSM to evaluate the overall design barrier strength of a project case. The results showed that architectural individualization has the greatest impact on prefabricated building design, followed by the collaborative issues among multiple units and professional designer issues. The overall design barrier strength of the project case was larger. Therefore, the first suggestion provided to the facility management sector is to establish a library for standard house types to achieve architectural design through multihouse combinations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Facilities Management and Sustainable Development)

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