A review of sustainable facilities management knowledge and practice

Abstract

Abstract. Sustainability is seen as a far-reaching issue now, and one which the facilities management [FM] profession cannot overlook. This paper explores current sustainable facilities management [SFM] knowledge and practice with specific focus on performance as part of a research focus toward proposing a sustainable FM performance management framework for sustainable healthcare waste management in Malaysia. This paper utilized a review of extant literature on the subject of SFM, FM performance and FM development in Malaysia as source of information. Findings reflect the increasing recognition of the need for the strategic FM function, and how facilities managers are best positioned to drive organizations' sustainability agendas. In Malaysian context, this recognition is barely evident as findings show FM practice is still immature and predominantly operational. Unlike developed FM markets, FM relevance in Malaysia is being driven by the public sector. Also findings show a disharmony between organizations' sustainability priority areas and the responsibilities for facilities managers to execute them where the sustainability policy of organizations prioritize one FM service and the facilities managers' responsibilities prioritize another. As most of SFM implementation is driven by legislation this seems to strengthen the position that, organizations continue to view support services as non-value-adding, as unavoidable liabilities. The implication of this is the pressure on the FM function to continually express its strategic relevance to organizations by tangible value-adding performance output. This creates a new perspective to measuring and managing facilities performance. This paper therefore elevates the importance of FM performance management in SFM context taking into account the peculiar position of the facilities manager. This is seen as a way forward for FM to better express its value to the organization .

Positioning Strategic Sustainable Facilities Management (SFM) for Hotel Industry in Malaysia

“…It is important to note that the hotel industry generates a lot of adverse environmental impacts which are often associated with excessive consumption (UNEP, 2008) of local and imported non-durable goods, energy and water, followed by emissions released to air, water, and soil (Penny, 2007). Many researchers have report that improving hotel environmental performances would lead to the reduction of energy consumption and operational costs (Bruns-smith et al, 2015;Göğüş et al, 2013;Melissen et al, 2016), generate an environmentally friendly environment for both staff and customers and help raising the company's corporate image and gaining the competitive edge (Baaki et al, 2016;Jayawardena et al, 2013;Jenkins & Karanikola, 2014;Nielsen et al, 2016;Zaiton et al, 2016). Accordingly, Baaki et al, (2016) and; Lai & Choi, (2015) have highlighted the importance of adopting a holistic approach of sustainability, in which by assessing the SFM practice.…”

“…Accordingly, Baaki et al, (2016) and; Lai & Choi, (2015) have highlighted the importance of adopting a holistic approach of sustainability, in which by assessing the SFM practice. Also, Baaki et al, (2016), stated that it is a necessity for determining the SFM initiatives to be implemented in the organizations. The SFM approach in the hotel organizations is vital that contemporary managers recognize the specificities enshrouded in economics, society, and environment by observing systemic issues within their organizational structure.…”

“…Besides, International Facility Management Association(IFMA) reported, natural resources have depleted, which pushing Facility Management (FM) professionals to develop competencies in areas of sustainable development and practices within their organizations (IFMA, 2018). Based on the literature, there seems to be a full recognition of the benefits and importance of incorporating sustainability into FM practice (Alonso-Almeida et al, 2017;Baaki et al, 2016;Elmualim et al, 2012;Elmualim et al, 2009;Jenkins & Karanikola, 2014;Nielsen et al, 2016) however, studies and literature focusing on the drivers of SFM are very few, particularly in hotel industry. Hence, the study is to focus on the Sustainable Facilities Management (SFM) practices within the hotel industry.…”

Critical Success Factor for Sustainable Facilities Management: A Review of Literature

“…Increased recognition of the need to manage sustainable facilities are seen to be catalyzed by FM practitioners and can be seen as a source of pressure for facility managers to prove FM strategic values to their organizations. In Malaysia,this recognition is still unclear as FM practice towards sustainable is still immature and focuses on the field of building operations only (Baaki et al, 2016). So there is a need to study the critical success factor (CSF) that contributes to the sustainable facilities management.…”

Emerging sustainable facilities management practices in health-care sector

“…There were very limited studies which have focused on integrating sustainability and FM practices in HC sector. For example, Baaki et al (2016) investigated SFM practices with specific focus on waste management practices and not on overall FM operations. Further, environment assessment tools namely LEED, BREEM and Green Globes enabled HC facilities to obtain green certification through listing sustainable practices.…”