FM as a social enterprise

Abstract

PurposeTo consider the extent to which the concept of social enterprise fits within facilities management (FM) thinking in helping to create community benefit in the process of delivering housing market renewal (HMR) in the UK. HMR via its HMR pathfinder organisations is part of many strategies in the ODPM (2003), introduced by the UK government to tackle low demand and housing abandonment across the UK.Design/methodology/approachThis paper considers two key themes. First, it focuses on social enterprise practice within the context of supporting and sustaining the existing economy of the local communities in the most deprived areas in the UK. Second, it discusses the present understanding of FM practices and how far these fit within social enterprise practices in delivering social objectives.FindingsSocial enterprises tackle a wide range of social, environmental and economic issues to achieve public benefit. It is a promising vehicle for the development of community‐based FM.Originality/valueThe paper builds on established literature and generates debate on the role of FM within the context of relevant organisations that offers new ways of operating for public benefit rather than purely maximising profits for shareholders.

An investigation on policy direction and drivers for sustainable facilities management practice in Nigeria

“…It is important to note that 37 out of the 58 respondents are not registered with IFMA, Nigeria (21 are registered with IFMA, Nigeria), although all have portfolios related to FM. This could be attributed to the multidisciplinary nature of FM that accommodates diverse professions found in the built environment (Kassim and Hudson, 2006). This development underscores the need for IFMA's Nigeria chapter to adopt pragmatic measures to improve its membership across all professional disciplines.…”

“…Alexander and Brown (2006) is of the opinion therefore that community-based FM is essential for sustainable development and should be appreciated to assist organisations in the management of facilities and the delivery of services to reflect the community and environment in which they reside and operate. As Kassim and Hudson (2006) pointed out, FM is a multidisciplinary area that requires a multi-professional approach involving the management of an organisation's core business but also the delivery of quality services to customers and users of its facilities.…”

International aid and cyclone shelters in Bangladesh: adaptation or maladaptation?

“…Poorly maintained MCSs are of little use in terms of disaster readiness or recovery. In this regard the locally elected committee would, at least partially, have more incentive to support the social objectives of the community by providing equal and equitable opportunities for adaptation (Barrett and Baldry 2003;Kasim and Hudson 2006). The other potential utility of locally elected MCS committees is that they could -and should -be at the frontline of on-ground mobilisation machinery for non-structural measures such as relief and rehabilitation operations including but not limited to dissemination of early warning signals to the community issued by the meteorological department, relocating people from disaster-affected areas into shelters, rescuing distressed people, and providing first aid to the injured.…”

Social enterprise applications in an urban facilities management setting

“…It could also provide the opportunity for genuine involvement of the communities in the design and management of services and the urban environment. FM as a social enterprise (Kasim and Hudson 2006) Social enterprises tackle a wide range of social, environmental and economic issues to achieve public benefit. It is a promising vehicle for the development of community-based FM.…”