Purpose: The objective of this paper is to examine the continuing debate over the nature, scope and definition of facilities management and the implications of FM practice in the field of outsourcing for the development of the field and the profession. Design/methodology/approach: The paper offers both a conceptual review of key issues in the definition of facilities management and a critique of these definitions in the context of the popular identity of facilities management as a means of generating cost savings through outsourcing. Findings: The discussion asserts that, perhaps contrary to the many published doubts expressed over the possibility of achieving consensus on the scope of facilities management, an emerging and broadly consensual model of facilities management can be discerned. This model, it is suggested, is inhibited from further development primarily because of a lack of leadership in the professional and academic communities together with a preoccupation by necessity of the FM profession with operational imperatives. Originality/value: The paper, through synthesis and critique, offers a variant perspective on the debate about the nature of facilities management.
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Purpose – This paper aims to develop an understanding of the potential for application of facilities management concepts and principles in the context of the “zoo sector”. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a conceptual one and begins with a narrative designed to provide sufficient background to understanding key issues relevant to the practice of facilities management in zoological and similar institutions, including the implications of conservational/scientific and display imperatives of zoological facilities for facilities management. We then consider how these issues can be worked through in the context of four broad dimensions of facilities management: strategies for the management of stakeholder behaviour (non-human animals, personnel and visitors); building and environmental design (including space usage); safety, security and health; and “miscellaneous” services. The paper concludes by providing a provisional framework for further research into facilities management in the zoo sector. Findings – As a conceptual paper, there are no empirical findings. Conceptually, the paper offers an initial and simple framework for interpreting the possible application of facilities management in zoological and related facilities. Originality/value – In a search of the two principal journals in the field of facilities management, nothing could be found of direct relevance to the management of facilities in zoological and similar organizations. This paper is thus a singular contribution to the field. Conceptually, the authors attribute neglect of the topic to the distinctive traditions in the study of facilities management, which, at the risk of caricature, emphasise either the pre-eminence of a building and building services approach to facilities management, or an approach which is almost exclusively focused on the “human” dimensions to the discipline.
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Background and aim – Palliative care consists of a multitude of factors, such as psychological and spiritual, in addition to or integrated with nursing and facility management. Stewart, Teno, Patrick, & Lynn (1999) have developed a framework that helps understand how structure and process affect the quality of dying. Exploration of the environment of patients in palliative care in hospices, nursing homes, and hospitals by mapping social-spatial experiences to advance the quality of dying will add to the body of knowledge.Methods / Methodology – 57 Employees, volunteers, supervisors, patients, and family were interviewed semi-structured by 7 bachelor thesis students on facilities in Dutch palliative care, after which secondary analysis was performed by one of the authors.Results – Respondents pointed out the importance of spaces and services for spirituality, and indicated that they feel that a sense of control over facilities is important. Connections have been found between spirituality and facilities, and differences between types of roles and types of accommodation. The study illustrates important elements of facilities, such as domestic furniture or decoration, and to the role of spirituality.Originality – Across the field of palliative care in the North of the Netherlands, bachelor thesis students have interviewed staff, volunteers, patients, and family about an interrelated multitude of aspects, including spaces, services, and spirituality.Practical or social implications – Application of findings can potentially contribute to improved alignment of facilities with the needs of patients and their loved ones in palliative care. Differences in opinions of the different groups require further investigation.
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An increasing share of light sports participants (e.g. self-organised runners) challenge traditional ‘Sport for All’ policy systems to target a more diversified array of people participating in sport and physical activity. The main aim of this article is to analyse whether light sport facilities, as a distinct local level policy intervention, can contribute to the goals of attracting ‘light’ and/or new sports participants with public means. The study is carried out in the context of a particular case of running facilities (i.e. bark running tracks, BRTs) in Flanders. The use of BRTs is investigated by structured face-to-face interviews with runners at the location of the BRT (n = 546; RR = 98.8%). The profile of users of BRTs is elaborated based on users’ characteristics (whether or not one started to run due to the provision of a BRT, the frequency and intensity of using the BRT) in bivariate logistic regression analysis. Next, reasons for using BRTs are investigated. It is concluded that BRTs mainly serve as a facility of the fragmented individualised society by reaching a large share of light sports participants (86%). However, it has the ability to reach runners at different levels, who show different patterns of using BRTs. It is suggested that so-called silent expectations in light facilities may function differently for different types of users. In this view, findings are discussed in order to identify policy implications related to Sport for All. …
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Breastfeeding has important long-term health consequences, not only for infants, but also for mothers. Researchers have calculated that scaling up breastfeeding could annually prevent 823,000 child deaths and 20,000 breast cancer deaths worldwide. Because of the important effects of breastfeeding, the World Health Organization advises mothers to breastfeed for minimally 2 years. However, breastfeeding rates are low, especially in the western parts of the world. One of the most important reasons to discontinue breastfeeding is the often-difficult combination of breastfeeding and work. Research shows that many mothers don’t have access to a suitable space to express milk at work. For FM professionals it is crucial to realize that the availability of breastfeeding facilities is important for organizations too. Breastfeeding improves the health and well-being of infants and mothers, which leads to reduced sick leave and health care costs. Moreover, breastfeeding support at work can lead to higher job satisfaction, a better work-life balance, and can reduce staff turnover. Therefore, offering good breastfeeding facilities creates a win-win situation, benefitting mothers, babies, and organizations. Facility managers are in a unique position to secure a healthier work environment that makes combining work and breastfeeding easy and feasible. FM can make a change!
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Purpose This paper aims to identify antecedents that influence perceived cleanliness by consulting experts and end-users in the field of facilities management (facility service providers, clients of facility service providers and consultants). Business models were evaluated to understand why some antecedents are adopted by practitioners and others are not. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative study, with end-users (n = 7) and experts (n = 24) in the field of facilities management, was carried out to identify antecedents of perceived cleanliness. Following the Delphi approach, different research methods including interviews, group discussions and surveys were applied. Findings Actual cleanliness, cleaning staff behaviour and the appearance of the environment were identified as the three main antecedents of perceived cleanliness. Client organisations tend to have a stronger focus on antecedents that are not related to the cleaning process compared to facility service providers. Practical implications More (visible) cleaning, maintenance, toilets, scent, architecture and use of materials offer interesting starting points for practitioners to positively influence perceived cleanliness. These antecedents may also be used for the development of a standard for perceived cleanliness. Originality/value A basis was created for the development of an instrument that measures perceived cleanliness and includes antecedents that are typically not included in most of the current standards of actual cleanliness (e.g. NEN 2075, ISSA).
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Long-term care facilities are currently installing dynamic lighting systems with the aim to improve the well-being and behaviour of residents with dementia. The aim of this study was to investigate the implementation of dynamic lighting systems from the perspective of stakeholders and the performance of the technology. Therefore, a questionnaire survey was conducted with the management and care professionals of six care facilities. Moreover, light measurements were conducted in order to describe the exposure of residents to lighting. The results showed that the main reason for purchasing dynamic lighting systems lied in the assumption that the well-being and day/night rhythmicity of residents could be improved. The majority of care professionals were not aware of the reasons why dynamic lighting systems were installed. Despite positive subjective ratings of the dynamic lighting systems, no data were collected by the organizations to evaluate the effectiveness of the lighting. Although the care professionals stated that they did not see any large positive effects of the dynamic lighting systems on the residents and their own work situation, the majority appreciated the dynamic lighting systems more than the old situation. The light values measured in the care facilities did not exceed the minimum threshold values reported in the literature. Therefore, it seems illogical that the dynamic lighting systems installed in the researched care facilities will have any positive health effects.
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In recent years video game consoles, such as the Nintendo Wii™ and the Microsoft Kinect™, have been introduced into residential facilities. This paper presents a review of current studies documenting the benefits and detriments the Wii could have on adults aged 60 years and over in residential facilities, concentrating on the common uses of the Wii in care facilities: maintaining physical fitness, promoting mental well-being, encouraging social interaction and both physical and mental rehabilitation. Furthermore, this paper discusses the potential use of the Microsoft Kinect in care for older persons. The Wii can have a positive impact on the physical and mental health of older adults living in care facilities, but additional work should still be conducted, including assessing the use of games outside of Wii Sports and Wii Fit and possible non-gaming application of the Wii in care for older adults. Results for the Wii display potential for use of the Kinect in care facilities but further exploration is required to assess the potential physical impact and interaction viability.
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Light therapy is applied as treatment for a variety of problems related to health and ageing, including dementia. Light therapy is administered via light boxes, light showers, and ambient bright light using ceiling-mounted luminaires. Long-term care facilities are currently installing dynamic lighting systems with the aim to improve the well-being of residents with dementia and to decrease behavioural symptoms. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of the application of ceiling-mounted dynamic lighting systems as a part of intelligent home automation systems found in healthcare facilities. Examples of such systems are provided and their implementation in practice is discussed. The available, though limited, knowledge has not yet been converted into widespread implementable lighting solutions, and the solutions available are often technologically unsophisticated and poorly evaluated from the perspective of end-users. New validated approaches to the design and application of ambient bright light are needed.
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Humidification is not a common procedure in many buildings in the Netherlands. An exception are buildings used for healthcare, especially hospitals. There, e.g. in operating theatres, relative humidity (RH) generally is controlled stringently at levels around 50%. From an energy point-of-view humidification is an energy-intensive activity. Currently, more than 10% of the total energy used in healthcare buildings is spent on humidification. The basis for an RH of around 50%, however, is not clear. Therefore, we pursued a scoping review to find evidence for specific RH thresholds in such facilities. In addition, an inventory was made of the current practice in the Netherlands. After analyzing the title and abstracts, the remaining references were read by two persons and scored on several topics. Guidelines and current practice were analyzed by referring to existing (inter)national guidelines and standards, and by contacting experts from Dutch hospitals through a survey and semi-structured interviews. Outcomes from the literature review were grouped into four different topics: 1) micro-organisms and viruses, 2) medical devices, 3) human physiology and 4) perception. No scientific evidence was found for the currently generally applied RH set-point of ~50%. Some studies suggest a minimum RH of 30% but the evidence is weak, with exception of medical devices if specifications require it. A lack of research that addresses more long-term exposure (a couple of days) and includes frail subjects, is noted. It was found that RH requirements are strictly followed in all hospitals consulted, some only focusing on the hot zones, but in many cases extended to the whole hospital. Steam humidification is mostly applied for hygienic reasons. but is quite energy-intensive. The conclusion t is that there is no solid evidence to support the RH-setpoints as currently applied in the Netherlands. It merely appears a code of practice. Therefore, there appears room for quick and significant energy savings, and CO2 emission reductions, when considering control at lower RH values or refraining from humidification at all, while still fulfilling the indoor environment requirements and not negatively influencing the health risk. This outcome can be applied directly in current practice with the available techniques.
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