Shaping tomorrow’s facilities management

Abstract

Purpose-Against the background of earlier publications on the future of FM and acknowledging digitalization and sustainability as two major shaping forces, the purpose of this paper is to place contributions to the special issue in a perspective of current opportunities for FM research. Design/methodology/approach-After a review of publications since the 1980s dealing with the future of FM, there is an analysis of how the forces of digitalization and sustainability have emerged over five decades. The articles of this Special Issue are introduced against this background. Opportunities for future FM research are identified, and the relation between research, education and practice is discussed. Findings-Megatrends outlined in the 1980s still shape how FM develops. Digitalization supports sustainability through workplace change and building design, but also by performance measurement, certification schemes and an awareness of the wider urban context. Research limitations/implications-Opportunities for FM research are created by digitalization and concerns with sustainability, combining environmental and social aspects. Relations between organizations studied in an FM context are important. Within organizations, employee issues and risk management are emphasized. Practical implications-Policies and schemes for sustainable buildings should be linked to sustainable FM more clearly. The relation between research, education and practice needs to be consolidated as a basis for research and development, as illustrated by a number of the studies belonging to this Special Issue. To reach the goals of sustainable development, we need to develop the knowledge and theoretical frameworks that can be applied to and used by practice. The recent ISO FM definition appears as narrow and should be extended to recognize facilities life cycle issues as well as broader urban and social concerns. Originality/value-This paper highlights the importance of basing FM research on an understanding of the fundamental forces that shape change.

Student accommodation, environmental behaviour and lessons for property managers

“…Bröchner et al (Bröchner et al, 2019) point out two main opportunities in property management: digitalisation and sustainability. The authors argue that the future of management in the properties will utilise intelligent data solutions and technological advancements to provide more efficient property management, however, in doing this must acquire better understanding of users and society.…”

Circular economy and real estate: the legal (im)possibilities of operational lease

“…light, vertical movement, interior design), including use, monitoring and maintenance (Schulte, 2013;Lewandowski, 2016;Lieder et al, 2018). This kind of disruptive thinking has already been embraced by firms such as Philips [1], Mitsubishi Elevators [2], Alstom[3], Rolls-Royce[4], Desso (carpet lease) [5], Desko (office furniture lease) [6], Grundfos (pump supplier for heating, air conditioning, irrigation and water treatment) and others [7], This is supposed to benefit all Figure 1. "Butterfly" model of CE F 37,9/10 involved and even the economy as a whole (Ellen Mc Arthur Foundation, 2013;Bastein et al, 2013;Stahel, 2016).…”

A Cross-Domain Decision Support System to Optimize Building Maintenance

“…One of the most acknowledged methods for assessment of performances within an organization is the Balanced Score Card (BSC) framework: A model for measurement and management of strategic performances within an organization [1]. The balanced score card gave rise to the definition of specialized KPIs for FM [3].…”

“…This trend can be named the digitization of the built environment. The digitization, together with the sustainability, is one of the driving forces in FM [3] and can be intended as those dynamics that are currently leading the research in FM and the development of new and more effective business processes in the industry. The digitization is shaping a different approach, which should be considered when dealing with physical assets [4].…”