Performance measurement for the strategic management of health-care estates
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the role of performance measurement in current practices for strategic management of health-care estates.
Design/methodology/approach
The research adopts a constructivist grounded theory approach, combining different methodologies of a pan-European qualitative questionnaire, interviews with international health-care providers and a case study of National Health Services (NHS) Scotland. Here, documentation analysis, observations and in-depth interviews involving NHS stakeholders were undertaken.
Findings
The analysis shows evidence that measuring estate performance has limited value for individual NHS boards regarding strategic decisions related to long-term planning and investment. This was due to design issues and the prioritisation of clinical delivery, which contribute to the neglect of the estate as a consideration in long-term strategic planning. This misalignment results in a tool which is valuable for accountability but which is less helpful to NHS boards in shaping future decisions around the estate.
Practical implications
Responding to a gap in understanding of the application of performance measurement in the context of health-care estates, this research provides three recommendations to promote a more effective and relevant performance measurement system. These actively recognise the importance of the estate within strategic decision-making as helping to inform the long-term planning and management of the estate within the individual NHS boards.
Originality/value
This paper shows the current role of performance measurement for the strategic management of health-care estates and identifies issues related to its applicability and value.
Keywords
Citation
Rodríguez-Labajos, L., Thomson, C. and O’Brien, G. (2018), "Performance measurement for the strategic management of health-care estates", Journal of Facilities Management, Vol. 16 No. 2, pp. 217-232. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFM-10-2017-0052
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited