Managing environmental building performance through IT systems

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to disclose the role and features of various IT systems for environmental building performance (EBP) in facilities management. Design/methodology/approach The study focuses on IT systems used for facilities management in four organisations. The study is based on a maximum variance case study in which the selected organisations have different organisation type and portfolio size. Three organisations are from Denmark and one is from the UK. Findings Several IT systems can be used for managing EBP. EBP in IT systems is primarily reflected through energy management, with specific focus on monitoring and reporting electricity, heating and water consumption. Furthermore, greenhouse gas emissions related to energy consumption can be calculated in some IT systems, while other environmental categories like building materials and recycling potentials are not adequately supported by the systems covered in this study. Some IT systems offer additional features relating to EBP, such as waste management and space management, but the study shows that these features are not demanded at the current point. Practical implications The results can be used to support decision-making in organisations to improve EBP in facilities management by IT systems. Originality/value This study contributes with new knowledge on how IT systems are used in different organisations for managing EBP. The paper also shows how various IT systems can add value to real estate organisations and facilities management departments and support their business processes relating to EBP.

Literature Review on Digitalization in Facilities Management and Facilities Management Performance Measurement: Contribution of Industry 4.0 in the Global Era

“…EBP is mainly reflected in energy management with a robust emphasis on controlling and reporting heating, water and electricity consumption. Moreover, "in some IT systems greenhouse gas emissions generated from energy consumption can be calculated, whilst other building materials and recycling potentials are not appropriately maintained by the IT systems mentioned in this study" [34] (p. 10).…”

“…In addition, the outputs produced by the DT applications are considered a vital resource for companies in the construction industry. However, Maslesa and Jensen [34] (p. 3) considered that "the FM sector continues to struggle with information management, mostly due to the peculiarity of information and its fragmentation" and "IT systems are, therefore, needed to manage and consolidate the data and information necessary to make decisions about how to operate and maintain buildings".…”

“…Asset managers should have a relevant information system and data sets for supporting their decisions. Maslesa and Jensen [34] argued that, nowadays, in FM literature, information communication technologies can be divided into seven categories. Two of them are workflow systems and facilities intelligence systems directly associated with the ICT system.…”

“…Note: Table 5. Knowledge-based view [15,34,35,41], organizational theory [39][40][41][42] and transaction cost theory [33,36,37].…”

“…Especially, "the digital technologies improve the interrelation of goods and plants, the value chain and managers to attain a sustainable production cycle" and "provide firms with the opportunities to encourage innovation process and entrepreneurship, rise of the market share, decrease energy waste, and recycle the material" [53] (p. 10). Furthermore, according to Maslesa and Jensen [34], various IT systems are frequently utilized for managing environmental building performance (EBP). EBP is mainly reflected in energy management with a robust emphasis on controlling and reporting heating, water and electricity consumption.…”