Journal of Facilities Management

Cost decision making in building maintenance practice in Malaysia : Table of Contents

Azlan Shah Ali — Mon Sep 28 08:59:09 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The main purpose of this paper is to systematically identify important factors that are considered in decision making of maintenance cost and discuss how these factors affect maintenance performance. Design/methodology/approach – This paper employs triangulation technique, which combines quantitative and qualitative approaches. The paper starts with the identification of dominant factors through literature reviews followed by semi-structured interviews with ten building managers and questionnaire survey. A set of questionnaires are distributed to 200 selected buildings managers in Malaysia. The results from 62 completed questionnaires form a database for the quantitative analysis. Findings – This paper concludes that the maintenance performance suffers from the insufficient allocation of maintenance cost. The main factors that are usually considered by the building managers in allocation of maintenance costs are availability of funding, client's preference, and economic situation. Associative test results reveal that variance in maintenance cost could be improved by considering condition of building and complaint about building performance during decision making of maintenance cost. Practical implications – This paper provides information for building manager on important factors that need to be considered during decision making of maintenance cost allocation. This would help the manager improve effectiveness and accuracy in preparing a maintenance budget. Originality/value – With the building maintenance sector in Malaysia being conditionally driven and usually carried out only when there is money, it is critical that organization make effective decisions on priority. This paper determines the most important factors in decision making of maintenance budget.

Determining a conceptual framework for green FM intellectual capital : Table of Contents

M.R. Baharum, M. Pitt — Mon Sep 28 08:59:09 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to consider how a facilities management (FM) organisation can strategically manage its intellectual capital with regard to environmental management services and to suggest a conceptual strategy for determining FM intangible assets' competitiveness and performance. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is based on a literature review of published work within the industry in relation to environmental issues and FM knowledge management, forming a basis for a further research paradigm. Findings – Building on the resource-based view of the FM organisation, the FM intellectual capital framework is referred to emphasize the significance of green strategy in its knowledge components. Research limitations/implications – This paper emphasizes the importance of FM intellectual capital in achieving overall sustainability and profitability to an organisation. However, due to limitations of experience within the FM knowledge perspective, it will take a while before significant results can be provided in proof of this. Practical implications – This paper establishes an imperative approach about FM knowledge capital capability to drive a greater environmental effectiveness and to reduce liability from a pertinent environmental directive. Originality/value – This paper theoretically evaluates the importance of FM intangible assets to the development of environmental management by an FM firm.

The application of supply chain management and collaborative innovation in the delivery of facilities management services : Table of Contents

Mohd Nazali Mohd Noor, Michael Pitt — Mon Sep 28 08:59:09 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to define supply chain management (SCM) in facilities management (FM) and in generic business context, and extensively review critical elements to ensure the success of SCM and collaborative innovation in FM as a service delivery system. Design/methodology/approach – The paper employs comprehensive literature reviews from a number of publications retrieved from electronic databases, journals and books. Findings – SCM helps organisations to execute strategic purchasing for sustainable market position in a rapidly changing and competitive environment. Facilities will be effectively managed by adopting strategic alliances in SCM with FM suppliers through faster service delivery, increase in service efficiency and cost savings. Research limitations/implications – Limited literature available on SCM in FM prevents comprehensive results, underlining further discussions on the critical aspects that can be adopted to ensure success in SCM in the context of FM service delivery. Practical implications – This paper provides an in-depth analysis of SCM and the significance of adopting critical elements within SCM to ensure the success of a business in an environment that is constantly changing due to various expected or unexpected factors. Originality/value – This paper presents literature updates on the needs of SCM in ensuring an organisation's sustainability, and in creating effective business collaborations to obtain profits through a common objective in FM.

Exploiting town planning factors in land development: Case study of urban housing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia : Table of Contents

Ibrahim Mohd, Faizah Ahmad, Wan Norazriyati Wan Abd Aziz — Mon Sep 28 08:59:09 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how planning factors affect urban housing development in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The paper encompasses planning approval process, legislative provisions, and planning decisions. Design/methodology/approach – The paper analyses published literatures on land-use planning to unveil diverse negative effects on property development, particularly on urban housing supply. Primary data are gathered through questionnaire surveys to 137 private housing developers and in-depth interviews with seven local planning authorities to obtain feedback on the issues affecting urban housing development. Findings – The paper establishes that some components of the town planning control can be exploited towards achieving the housing aspiration of a nation. Research limitations/implications – The findings of this paper are based on planning controls on urban housing development in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Practical implications – The paper attempts to encourage public policy makers and local authorities to undertake a more active role in providing better quality of urban housing through utilisation of town planning tools such as development plans, development control, and planning decision. Originality/value – The paper provides information on how the government can utilise town planning controls to achieve urban housing policy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Cropping systems as water harvesting techniques for barley production in arid and semi-arid areas in Jordan : Table of Contents

Ali Abu-Nukta, Begum Sertyesilisik, Rafid Alkhaddar — Mon Sep 28 08:59:09 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of water harvesting techniques as a sustainability measure of the cropping system for barley production in the Fa'a farming area located in the Northern part of Jordan. Design/methodology/approach – Usually, the farmers plant barley to feed their animals. The climate of the area is semi-arid to arid. Annual average rainfall in the area is not enough for the survival of barley and farmers are usually grassing barley instead of harvesting. Overgrazing and mismanagement contribute to land degradation in the area, which affect the production system in the area. Findings – The paper investigates the runoff collection system which is framed with two different sizes in three different land uses: cultivated with barley; fallow and rangeland. Data are collected in all of five stormy events. The total soil sediment is measured for these land uses. The amount of water collected from runoff is also measured for the same areas. The ploughing against the slope with planting barley can reduce the runoff and soil sediment increasing soil moisture and reducing soil erosion. The barley production as biomass is highest using strip cropping as opposed to zero ratio control site or conventional cultivation. The plants' lengths were also higher in strip cropping ranging between 26 and 28 centimetres in the different strip cropping ratios compared to 23 centimetres in the conventional cropping system. Originality/value – By using the results from this new research to such an area, surface runoff from the uncultivated land can be used to supplement the rainfall to the cultivated land. This increases the share of runoff on the cultivated land to the degree where barley can be harvested.