To read this content please select one of the options below:

Impacts of poor quality of information in the facility management field

Tuuli Jylhä (Department of Real Estate Business, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland)
Maila Elina Suvanto (Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.)

Facilities

ISSN: 0263-2772

Article publication date: 7 April 2015

2282

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the quality of information and its impact on the facility management (FM) service processes from a lean management perspective. Waste has a key role in lean management when improving productivity. Unfortunately, the potential of waste elimination has not been utilised in FM. Poorly managed information has already been recognised as a source of waste.

Design/methodology/approach

The quality of information and related waste activities were studied in a value creation context through four in-depth case studies. The research included 130 interviews and workshops with the case organisations and their customers.

Findings

The results confirm that poor quality of information produces a lot of waste activities. In the cross-case analysis, three impacts were found as a result of the poor quality of information in FM service processes: a lot of time is wasted for searching, a great deal of extra work is conducted and potential is lost.

Research limitations/implications

Although the case study approach has its limitations, this study with its extensive data provides findings that are grounded in solid evidence.

Practical implications

By utilising waste elimination and re-engineering value creation processes, FM organisations could improve the quality of information and increase their overall efficiency.

Originality/value

This paper provides a deeper insight into the impacts that poor quality of information generates.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Tuuli Jylhä, thanks Finnish Foundation for Technology Promotion, Doctoral Programme of Aalto University School of Engineering, Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries, KIINKO Real Estate Education and Finnish Association of Geodetic and Land Surveyors for financial support.

Citation

Jylhä, T. and Suvanto, M.E. (2015), "Impacts of poor quality of information in the facility management field", Facilities, Vol. 33 No. 5/6, pp. 302-319. https://doi.org/10.1108/F-07-2013-0057

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles