Despite discussions about the universal work station, there is increasing workplace dynamics in US organisations. These dynamics include space configuration changes, space enclosure changes, changes in occupant density and increasing equipment density. At the same time, building infrastructures have not evolved to meet these demands, with little flexibility in the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC), lighting, or electrical/telecommunication systems of new or existing office buildings. This paper examines the effects of organisational workplace dynamics and building infrastructure flexibility on the environmental and technical quality of offices. Resulting from extensive field studies in US buildings, the authors contend that there are numerous statistically significant issues for the design and management of buildings for the dynamic organisation. The study identified numerous factors that affect thermal, air, lighting and technical quality in offices. In relation to
The property management services sector in China is developing rapidly, contributing significantly to employment and income. We have made recommendations for service differentiation and low costs so that even with limited resources, property management services can distribute their services effectively, reduce unnecessary costs, and implement an optimal plan. This study helps property management service providers understand the needs and expectations of customers because it is a key factor contributing to the success of the business. Based on the consumer and service quality (SERVQUAL) theories, this study applies the fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method to construct a quality evaluation scale for property management service companies and determine key property management service items that are valued most by customers and operators in this sector. The results show that it is feasible to determine accurately factors that are used to quantify the competitiveness of the existing market and identify improvements to ensure a win–win situation for both customers and companies in this sector.
Abstract'Energy management' is a challenging task for individual departments within universities, especially when several departments occupy the same facility. To assist individual departments in dealing with the complex energy management topics, this study aims to establish the Benchmarking Energy Efficiency by Space Type (BEEST) method. The BEEST is developed around the core concept of 'space type'. It is proposed that the spaces within a department be categorized into several 'space types'; and for each space type, its 'standard operation settings' be defined to further estimate the 'standard energy consumption' for the department, with energy prediction module such as eQuest, as its energy consumption benchmark. The energy efficiency index of a department and its facility can then be assessed by comparing its 'actual energy consumption' against the estimated 'standard energy consumption. The problem areas can be identified and energy saving action plans recommended by conducting further analyses, such as energy analyses by space types, floors, and equipment types as well as sensitivity analyses of the energy reduction effects of various 'standard settings'. The Department of Architecture of the national university NTUST in Taiwan is used as a case to demonstrate how the BEEST functions as an effective energy management tool.
Purpose This paper aims to reveal and compare the characteristics of the facilities management (FM) education programs in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea (i.e. the Four Asian Dragons) and makes suggestions for their future development. Design/methodology/approach A team consisting of academics from the Four Asian Dragons held a face-to-face meeting to discuss and define the scope and framework of the review, followed by an extensive search to identify literature and information germane to the study. Individual parts of reviews, prepared by the team members for their respective places, were cross-reviewed before refinement and consolidation into the current paper. Findings The term “facility (or facilities) management” appears in most of the programs reviewed, but terms such as “environment” and “property” also appear in some programs’ titles. The programs reviewed range from certificate level to doctorate level; those between diploma level and master level are more common. Most of the programs have obtained professional accreditations, but some are accredited by FM-related rather than FM-specific professional bodies. Research limitations/implications Further research should investigate issues such as the performance of the programs reviewed, extent to which they have met the market needs and how they compare with the counterparts in other regions (e.g. Europe, America). For such research, the process of the study reported here and its findings about the status quo of the programs can serve as references. Practical implications To strengthen FM as a well-established discipline, it is imperative to have the programs accredited by FM-specific professional bodies. Originality/value Providing the first-ever international review on the major FM programs in Asia, this paper is useful to program planners, educators and researchers in the FM field.
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