Measuring perception about sustainability of building materials in Kosovo

Abstract

Structured AbstractPurpose: The purpose of this article is to explore the development of knowledge about facilities management (FM), in particular, the management of FM services in practice, education and research. The article questions whether we know more about optimal models for in-house or outsourcing FM after 25 years of applied research and development of best practices.Design/methodology/approach: The article is based on literature reviews, case studies and personal experiences from practice for over 25 years, concentrating on the public sector. The article maintains an international focus on the FM development, with particular focus on the development in Norway and the Nordic countries. The knowledge development triangle, and its integration of education, research and practice, is used as an underlying theoretical framework. Findings:The knowledge regarding management of FM services in both the public and private sector has been developed over the last two decades. The changes in both sectors is reflected in all the three aspects of the knowledge triangle. While the use of outsourcing increased significantly in popularity during the last 25 years, the Norwegian profile continues to have limited use of outsourcing. Research limitations/implications:The article is based a qualified selection of doctoral theses, research reports and scientific articles published in the period 1990-2015. The explorations include limited quantitative data. Practical implications -Social implications:The choice for FM in practice, whether fully or partly to produce services with internal resources or to make arrangements with external suppliers, is an important strategic decision regarding the choice of a procurement strategy for the company or the organisation. This decision is not necessarily about outsourcing or in-house, but rather the strategic sourcing and management of the needed services.Originality/value: Twenty-five years of research have shown that a simple solution and answer to the questions about in-house or outsourcing FM services is lacking. To find a good solution, it is necessary to understand the content of FM services with respect to quality and efficiency, and to understand the interaction between FM, the core activities and the users.

Predictive Methodology for the Quantification of Environmental Aspects in Urban Infrastructures

“…RRMU, calculated using the methodologies described in ISO 14040 [86], ISO 14041 [87], ISO 14042 [88], and ISO 14043 [89], denominated life cycle assessment [61], showed that paving had the greatest impact due to the amount of material used. This finding is in line with Giama and Papadopoulos [90] and Hoxha et al [91], who observed the relation between the environmental impact of construction material and the use of resources. The construction industry should opt for the rationalization, durability, and choice of materials with lower environmental impact coefficients.…”

“…The construction industry should opt for the rationalization, durability, and choice of materials with lower environmental impact coefficients. To that end, the choice of materials in the pre-construction phase, using pollution prevention criteria, waste reduction, and incorporated energy were essential for sustainability [91].…”

A Value-Based Decision-Making Model for Selecting Sustainable Materials for Buildings

“…Fig. 2 The similarities of findings from previous studies (Sources: 1 = Abdel-malak, et al [22]; 2 = Ajayi, et al [3]; 3 = Hoxha, et al [8]; 4 = Akadiri and Olomolaiye [23]; 5 = Krueger, et al [24]; 6 = Hoxha and Shala [25]; 7 = Jailani, et al [26]; 8 = Oduyemi and Okoroh [27]; 9 = Mahmoudkelaye, et al [28]; 10 = Danso [29].…”

“…Because it caused difficulties for project stakeholders in selecting the best material. Based on Hoxha et al [8], it is argued that different stakeholders have different backgrounds in their activities about the criteria for sustainable building materials. Hence, there are no right or wrong criteria to be selected for sustainable building materials.…”

Selecting Criteria for Assessing "Environmentally-Friendly" Material Options in Construction: Part I

“…(Herda et al, 2017), considering the problem of comparing construction products and switching to sustainable construction in Kenya, pointed to the lack of reliable databases of product properties that correspond to local conditions. Hoxha, Haugen and Bjorberg (2017), to propose a list of "green" criteria of material selection to appeal to the wider public, decided to investigate into the understanding of sustainability in Kosovo by means of a survey among nonprofessionals. Rashdan and Ashour (2018) reviewed the literature to define a list of aspects worth consideration in sustainability assessment of interior design products.…”