Sustainable Facilities Management in the Built Environment: A Mixed-Method Review

Abstract

The significance of facilities management practices in the built environment and the changing focus to include sustainability principles have been acknowledged. However, there is no consensus on the sustainability principles needed to ensure maximal benefits in the built environment. Few studies have systematically analysed and visualised the trends in facilities management sustainability research. This study thus explored facilities management research and its evolving focus over the past decade regarding sustainability. With a focus on the built environment, an exploratory study using scientometrics and content analysis was undertaken based on the extant literature from 2012 to 2022 published in the Scopus database. Keywords including “sustainable facilities management” and “built environment” were used to identify journal articles and conference papers. Interlinks were mapped and visualised using VOSviewer and complemented with findings from the content analysis. Findings showed that current research pathways centred around four clusters, including planning and implementation, community-oriented smart facilities management, innovativeness, and environmental and corporate energy management. These core research focus areas were mostly concentrated in the United Kingdom. The core researchers, institutions, funders, and sources were established. Future research gaps and directions based on knowledge areas and methodological and collaborative endeavours were highlighted. The study offers insights to facilities managers, researchers, analysts, and policymakers on the trajectory of sustainable facilities management research and the extent to which the sustainable development agenda has been embraced. The relations between SFM research and opportunities or areas of stronger focus given contemporary occurrences were identified.

Bibliometric and content analyses of research on technology use in real estate facilities management

“…Based on a systematic search, bibliometric and content analyses were used to elicit quantitative and qualitative patterns and boundaries, revealing insights into a research area. This measured research outputs and in-depth underlying meaning of concepts while providing a framework of extant knowledge, as was done by Okoro (2023). This three-step science mapping approach was also used by Tezel and Giritli (2021) in mapping knowledge in the BIM-FM domain.…”

“…Although using the most cited papers may favour older papers, that is, those published more than five years ago having accrued a smaller number of citations, highly cited ones are important nodes in the dissemination and scientific information network and show the opinions over the selected time (Ioannidis et al , 2014). A similar approach was adopted by Okoro (2023). The process entailed sampling (establishing the criteria and identifying the documents, in this case, the ten most cited documents), coding (reading and re-reading the selected documents and grouping of common themes) and quantification or subjective description of features (Okoro, 2023).…”

Penganggaran Biaya Proyek Konstruksi Menggunakan Bim: Tinjauan Dengan Pendekatan Bibliometrik

“…Hasil dari analisis data disajikan pada bagian ini. Untuk analisis bibliometrik, karakteristik publikasi disajikan dalam bentuk tabel dan grafik, termasuk tren tahunan, penulis, negara atau wilayah asal penulis, sumber, dan kata kunci (Okoro, 2023). Selanjutnya dilakukan tinjauan literatur menggunakan dokumendokumen yang paling sering dikutip bersama.…”

A scoping review of community-based facilities management for public services through social enterprises in developing communities

“…The proposed model in this study also believes that service performance should include Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and resilience perspectives. SDGs can be achieved in FM through SDG 7, 9, 15, 16 and 17 (Okoro, 2023). KPIs that relates to aspects of service provision such as cleaning, utilities, environment, partnering and promoting strong institutions are needed in developing communities.…”