An exploration of how research can aid the development of facilities management

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to explore traditional FM research and potential trends. Design/methodology/approach This was an exploratory review of literature. Findings The main thrust of the argument in this paper is that FM research develops a more communicable and proven understanding of how to apply a wide spectrum of externally developed methods in unique FM settings as well as developing new methods. Second, a more robust FM knowledge base can inform designers, engineers and architects given that FMs are experts of design in use. Research limitations/implications This research focused on the UK, Europe, America and Australia. It does not represent a comprehensive/systematic review of the research activities occurring in FM globally. Practical implications Research traditionally focuses on hard FM; in contrast, FM outcomes are heavily dependent on the way end users interact with and use organisational services and equipment. This suggests that there is a gap between practice and research, and that intuitive and in-depth FM knowledge about end users has yet to be captured and formalised through research. Social implications Development of FM research requires uptake of contemporary research trends towards partnered research, working across disciplines. Originality/value Achieving a more robust FM knowledge base would help capture the wealth of knowledge that FMs have about buildings in use; this could then be used by FMs and also by designers to improve their products and services in disciplines like engineering and architecture.

Theoretical understanding of sociomateriality in workplace studies

“…When studies are not based on a theory, the results can be inconsistent or contradictory, and often failed to adequately defend the results (Sander et al , 2019). Human-centered studies need to be based on theoretical constructs and understanding of human nature (Campbell, 2017). Therefore, there is a need for a theory-based academic approach in workplace studies to solve the problem of inconsistent results in workplace studies.…”

Navigating the logics of changing public facilities management

“…The in-depth case study explored in this paper foregrounds a sector-specific understanding of the multidimensional challenges faced by individual actors working to improve practices related to the management of the public building stock (Boyd and Schweber, 2017; Hill et al , 2013; Ramskov-Galamba and Nielsen, 2016). Drawing on an IW lens (Lawrence and Suddaby, 2006; Campbell, 2017), the aim was to unpack the complexity and situated nature of the work experienced by the actors themselves rather than to identify any best practice for strategic public facilities management (Hopland and Kvamsdal, 2019).…”

“…It has been recognized that PFMOs need to develop new kinds of (strategic) organizational capabilities (Junghans, 2013; Olsson et al , 2015; Ramskov-Galamba and Nielsen, 2016; Svensson, 2018; Jensen et al , 2018; Bröchner et al , 2019; Pardalis et al , 2019) to manage this growing number of challenges. However, little is known about how such work is conducted in practice and how PFMOs’ officials are conditioned by the specifics of the multiple logics milieu (Galamba et al , 2012; Hill et al , 2013; Boyd and Schweber, 2017; Campbell, 2017; Castán Broto, 2019).…”

Future of the Facilities Management profession

“…Not everyone can or want to work in the multilocational way. Based on research finding Campbell [11] states, that research traditionally focuses on hard facilities management; in contrast facilities management outcomes are heavily dependent on the way end users interact with organizational services and equipment. In practice the intuitive and in-depth facilities management knowledge about end users has yet to be captured and formalized through research.…”