Purpose– The present paper aims to explore to what extent the quality of facility services can be related to the differences in educational achievements in higher education.Design/methodology/approach - This paper is based on the first preliminary analyses of a national online survey among 1,752 lecturers of 18 Dutch Universities of Applied Sciences. Via explorative desk research, additional data were gathered regarding the educational achievements, size and religious identity of the institutions. Exploratory factor analysis and multiple regressionwere used to test the propositions.Findings – The results seem to indicate that the perceived quality of facility services that are education-related and provide personal comfort to teachers have a positive relationship with study success. Layout, fitting out, and general facility services show no statistically significant relationship with study success, whereas (traditional) workplaces have a negative relationship. Also, we found that the size of the education institution strongly negatively relates to studysuccess, and institutions with a Christian identity outperform non-Christian institutions.Practical implications– These preliminary research findings suggest that a prime consideration in learning space design is the facilitation of social interaction, creating a (virtual) small-scale learning environment in large institutions.Originality/value - This paper suggests that facility services can assist the quality of higher education.
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Purpose - This paper aims to identify perception gaps on the quality of facility services among different users of educational buildings, and provide possible explanations for these perception gaps, and discussing the consequences regarding Facility Management (FM) governance.Design/methodology/approach - This paper is based on the first preliminary analyses of a national online survey among members of the Board of Directors (n=17), education managers (n=211), facility managers (n=76), and lecturers (n=1,755) of 18 Dutch Universities of Applied Science. We used Mann-Whitney U tests to analyse the data.Findings – The results seem to indicate a misfit between the perceived quality of facility services of Board of Directors and facility managers of the different institutions on the one hand, indicating an above average quality level, and the education managers and lecturers on the other hand, indicating an under average quality level. FM likely acts in accordance with the Board and both seem dissociated from the primary process and users’ support needs.Practical implications – Based on the research findings, we propose that, when it comes to determining service requirements, FM aligns more with the users of the built learning environment and puts their interests and needs first. Following a user focus approach may contribute to the value-adding capability of FM.Originality/value - This study is the first to find that FM (implicitly) is aligned with the Board, which however seems to result in users' needs to be underestimated.
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This paper presents a new Value Adding Management (VAM) model that aims to support decision makers in identifying appropriate interventions in buildings, other facilities and services that add value to the organisation, to manage its implementation, and to measure the output and outcomes. The paper builds on value adding management theories and models that use the triplet input-throughput-output, a distinction between output, outcome and added value, and concepts, theories and data on the impact of interventions in corporate real estate and facility services, change management and performance measurement. Furthermore, input has been used from a cross-chapter analysis of a new book in which 23 authors from five different European countries present a state of the art of theory and research on 12 value parameters: satisfaction, image, culture, health and safety, productivity, adaptability, innovation, risk, cost, value of assets, sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility. The new VAM model follows the steps from the well-known Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle, which are supported by various tools that were found in the literature or came to the fore in the state-of-the-art sections. In order to be able to select appropriate interventions in the Plan-phase, this paper includes a typology of typical interventions in corporate real estate and facility services that may add value to the organisation. The Check-phase is supported by an overview of ways to measure the 12 value parameters and related Key Performance Indicators. The new Value Adding Management model connects Corporate Real Estate Management (CREM) and Facilities Management (FM) with general business management in order to align CREM/FM interventions to the organizational context and organizational objectives. The VAM model opens the black box of input-throughput-output-outcome and is action oriented due to the connection to various management and measurement tools.
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An important challenge for facility management is to integrate the complex and comprehensive construct of different service processes and physical elements of the service facility into a meaningful and functional facility design. The difficulty of this task is clearly indicated by the present study that shows that different employee categories for interpersonal services have quite different perceptions of the facility design that stem from different but coherent needs and interests. Employees with management perspectives (i.e. top managers and facility managers) were significantly more positive about the facility design than frontline employees and their supervisors with providers’ perspectives. Also, providers attributed a more important role to facility design with respect to delivering interpersonal services than management did. We found strong indications for the need for cross-functional cooperation in decision making about the facility design, creating a more balanced setting and possibly empowering providers for the service encounter.
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This article provides a brief overview of the history and development of facility management research in the Netherlands and indicates future directions. Facility management as a profession has developed from single service to multi-services and integral services over the past 15 years.
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Begin 2006 betrok Facilicom Services Group haar nieuwe hoofdkantoor in Schiedam. Het gebouw was ontwikkeld vanuit een totaalvisie op toegepast duurzaam ondernemen en geïntegreerd facility management. In een gesprek met Paul Janssen, stafdirecteur marketing bij Facilicom, evalueert FMI het eerste lustrum van het schoolvoorbeeld van de facilitaire kantooromgeving.
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Background and aim ʹ Many countries signed the Paris Agreement to mitigate global average temperature rise. In this context, Dutch government decided to realize a reduction of 50% using resources and raw materials in 2030. This paper explores how practice-based research into facility operations can contribute to this aim. Methods / Methodology ʹ Practice-based research which includes direct observations, desk research, and participatory action research. Results ʹ This explorative research presents principles and suggestions for facility managers and procurement managers on how they can embed sustainable materials management in the organisation and how to take control of waste. The proposed suggestions are derived from practice-based research and presented as topics of attention for facility professionals. Originality ʹ Within education of Dutch universities of applied sciences and daily professional facility practices, the phenomenon of materials management is underexposed. To contribute to the national and international climate objectives, (future) facility professionals need better support to reduce waste. Bachelor students were involved throughout this research. This approach gave refreshing insights into waste at the end of the supply chain (control separation units) that can improve informed decisionmaking at the beginning of the supply chain. Practical or social implications ʹ Facility management professionals have an important role to play in the mitigation of global average temperature rise, because of their leading role in procurement, service operations, and materials management. However, they struggle to find sustainable solutions. This paper seeks to inspire professionals with interventions that have proven effectiveness on the reduction of waste. Type of paper ʹ Short research paper.
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Artikel student Facility Management. Beoordeling: 7.
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PurposePalliative care improves quality of life of patients and relatives facing life-threatening illnesses; it places their needs central (WHO, 2015). It is however unknown if facility design in Dutch hospice care facilities fulfils these needs. This paper aims to establish if services and spaces of hospice care providers match with needs of users.DesignThis explorative study includes a literature review on needs and supporting services and spaces, using evidence-based design and indoor-environment design literature. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with caregivers and support staff.FindingsPatients in the final stages of life need a last refuge that requires a higher standard when compared to regular healthcare environments. The spaces and service delivery processes at hospices seem to be optimal while in other (hospice) care settings users miss adequate spaces and services. In addition, management in care systems needs to reconfigure accordingly in order to offer flexible customisation e.g. allocation of staff. Several space and service requirements have been identified, like domesticity, lay-out, style of décor, space for loved ones, quiet, and personal artefacts.Practical implicationsThe research findings will be used for follow-up research that will result in aligning the designs of spaces and services with needs of hospice care users.Originality/ValueThe role of facility management in palliative care has rarely been studied. Current findings may be regarded as a starting point for further investigation in this area, allowing hospice care to improve its spaces and services in order to meet patients’ and relatives’ needs.
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ackground and aim – Driven by new technologies and societal challenges, futureproof facility managers must enable sustainable housing by combining bricks and bytes into future-proof business support and workplace concepts. The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS) acknowledges the urgency of educating students about this new reality. As part of a large-scale two-year study into sustainable business operations, a living lab has been created as a creative space on the campus of THUAS where (novel) business activities and future-proof workplace concepts are tested. The aim is to gain a better understanding amongst students, lecturers, and the university housing department of bricks, bytes, behavior, and business support. Results – Based on different focal points the outcomes of this research present guidelines for facility managers how data-driven facility management creates value and a better understanding of sustainable business operations. In addition, this practice based research presents how higher education in terms of taking the next step in creating digitized skilled facility professionals can add value to their curriculum. Practical or social implications – The facility management profession has an important role to play in the mitigation of sustainable and digitized business operations. However, implementing high-end technology within the workplace can help to create a sustainable work environment and better use of the workplace. These developments will result in a better understanding of sustainable business operations and future-proof capabilities. A living lab is the opportunity to teach students to work with big data and provides a playground for them to test their circular workplace, business support designs, and smart building technologies.
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