Building operation and maintenance: manpower in Hong Kong
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to reveal the state of building operation and maintenance (O&M) manpower in Hong Kong. In addition, the study included supply and demand of O&M practitioners, gaps between their required and possessed competences and ways to meet the manpower needs.
Design/methodology/approach
After developing a model that integrates manpower levels (L), trades (T) and natures (N) of O&M works (named as “LTN” model), a full spectrum of O&M jobs were established followed by collecting data of 75 organizations and 402 stakeholders through two surveys.
Findings
Besides the large O&M workforce, vacancy rates of the jobs were found to be significant. For the different trades and natures of O&M works, the knowledge/skills levels perceived by the stakeholders were lower than the corresponding importance levels.
Research limitations/implications
The methodology of the study can be used in future research for revealing the state of O&M manpower in Hong Kong and cities alike. The way in which the “LTN” model was developed may be used as a reference for constructing similar models for manpower research in other industries.
Practical implications
The findings and the measures for improving the O&M manpower can assist policymakers and human resources departments to formulate necessary education and training courses for the building industry.
Originality/value
The study is the first of its kind focusing on building O&M manpower. The state of the manpower it unveiled forms a basis for comparison with similar findings in future.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author is grateful for the support of the Building Services Operation and Maintenance Executives Society and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Grant no. H-ZJJN), including the consent to the adapted use of Figures 8 to 10.
Citation
Lai, J.H.K. (2017), "Building operation and maintenance: manpower in Hong Kong", Facilities, Vol. 35 No. 3/4, pp. 220-241. https://doi.org/10.1108/F-03-2016-0029
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited