Dilanthi Amaratunga

Quantitative and qualitative research in the built environment: application of “mixed” research approach

Built environment research consists of cognitive and affective, as well as behavioural, components. Existing built environment research utilises either strong qualitative or, more often, strong quantitative methodologies. Aims to discuss some of the philosophical issues that would be considered when undertaking academic research into the built environment. Considers the available research options or paradigms and suggests ways in which a researcher can make an informed and sensible decision as to how to proceed. The main dimensions of the debate about the relative characteristics and merits of quantitative and qualitative methodology are outlined, developing the argument that the use of a single methodology often fails to explore all of these components. The use of a mixed methods approach is suggested to counteract this weakness and to enhance research into the built environment.

Moving from performance measurement to performance management

In order for a facilities management (FM) organisation to make effective use of the results of performance measurement it must be able to make the transition from measurement to management. It must also be able to anticipate needed changes in the strategic direction of the organisation and have a methodology in place for effecting strategic change. Successful accomplishment of these two tasks represents the foundation of good performance management. This paper explores baselines for moving from performance measurement to performance management and provides a discussion of how the FM performance assessment can be used to manage the FM function effectively.

Process improvement through performance measurement : the balanced scorecard methodology

One of the hallmarks of leading‐edge organisations – be they public or private – has been the successful application of performance measurement to gain insight into, and make judgements about, the organisation, and the effectiveness and efficiency of its programmes, processes, and people. The balanced scorecard (BSC) is a widely used management framework for the measurement of organisational performance. The BSC concept suggests that the state of processes of an organisation can be best assessed by taking a “balanced” view across a range of performance measures. This article seeks to offer an insight into the BSC, the key features of the concept and issues that must be addressed in its implementation as a process improvement technique. Further, it identifies the BSC methodology as a means of deploying strategic direction, communicating expectations, and measuring progress towards agreed objectives.

Case study methodology as a means of theory building: performance measurement in facilities management organisations

Uses a research study (involving case study analysis of performance measurement in facilities management organisations) to describes the process of theory building. From this study it draws out lessons about research strategies – from specifying the research questions to reaching closure – and about the strengths and weaknesses of case study method as a research tool.

An integrative review of the built environment discipline's role in the development of society's resilience to disasters

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present an integrative review of the literature to explore the nature of the built environment disciplines potential role in the development of societys resilience to disasters.Design/methodology/approach – The integrative literature review method is used to address this emerging topic and present a holistic conceptualisation of the literature. For the purpose of this review, the Business Source Premier (EBSCO), Emerald Management eJournals, Management & Organization Studies (CSA) and Science Direct (Elsevier) electronic databases are the main source for identifying studies, along with conference proceedings from the events of major built environment and disaster‐related networks.Findings – A review of the literature reveals that the built environment “discipline”, at each stage of the disaster management process, has invaluable expertise and a key role to play in the development of societys resilience to disasters. However, the collaborative definition of the ...

Tacit knowledge and organisational performance: Construction industry perspective

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of tacit knowledge in construction and to underline the significant contribution of tacit knowledge towards the organisational performance. Design/methodology/approach - Includes a review of literature on principal insights of dominant views on knowledge and organisational resources to highlight the strategic nature of tacit knowledge. Further, intrinsic characteristics of the construction industry are discussed to underline the people factor and the role of the tacit knowledge. Findings - Valuable human and knowledge resources will be wasted unless organisations make better use of these prime resources. Tacit knowledge in particular is still considered to be relatively unexplored and proper understanding and management of this resource are of immense importance for better organisational performance. In this context, this paper reveals the labour and knowledge intensive nature of the construction industry and highlights the importance and the significant role of people factor and tacit knowledge in construction. Originality/value - Owing to paucity of literature and inadequate empirical research done, this paper provides the basis for more empirical research on finding importance of tacit knowledge towards organisational performance in the construction industry.

Assessment of facilities management performance in higher education properties

In the general facilities management literature, it is assumed that there is a causal link between facilities management practices and performance. The role of facilities management in facilitating organisational performance, and thereby in providing competitive advantage, is widely acknowledged. However, the mechanisms of how this happens in higher educational establishments are quite unclear, prompting performance evaluation researchers to question whether performance evaluation in fact does add value, and enhance organisational performance. Assessment of performance of buildings of institutions delivering higher educational services has become a matter of particular interest to governments seeking to increase the effectiveness of educational provision and maximise value for money. This paper presents initial findings of the characteristics of important aspects of a performance evaluation approach related to higher education properties, and discusses the development of a framework based on the balanced scorecard to measure performance relating to higher education establishments.

A conceptual framework to measure facilities management performance

This paper concerns the measurement of facilities management performance. Empirical research carried out indicates that facilities management appears to utilise a wide range of measures – not only traditional financial accounting measures, but also indicators of managerial behaviour as well as various other measures of effectiveness. Considers the basis for measurement of performance in facilities management with reference to a conceptual framework identified by taking into consideration the advantages and some of the drawbacks with current performance measurement systems.

Attitudes and perceptions of construction workforce on construction waste in Sri Lanka

Purpose – The construction industry consumes large amounts of natural resources, which are not properly utilised owing to the generation of waste. Construction waste has challenged the performance of the industry and its sustainable goals. The majority of the causes underlying material waste are directly or indirectly affected by the behaviour of the construction workforce. Waste occurs on site for a number of reasons, most of which can be prevented, particularly by changing the attitudes of the construction workforce. Therefore, the attitudes and perceptions of the construction workforce can influence the generation and implementation of waste management strategies. The research reported in this paper is based on a study aimed at evaluating the attitudes and perceptions of the construction workforce involved during the pre‐ and post‐contract stages towards minimising waste.Design/methodology/approach – A structured questionnaire survey was carried out to understand and evaluate the attitudes and percepti...

Assessment of facilities management performance

Facilities management (FM) exists to support the core business, that is the preliminary goal‐seeking activities of the enterprise. The role of FM in facilitating organizational performance, and thereby in providing competitive advantage, is widely acknowledged. Performance measurement (PM) is a topic which is often discussed; however, the mechanisms of how this happens in FM are quite unclear, prompting performance evaluation researchers to question whether performance evaluation in fact does add value and enhance organizational performance. Further, the growing acceptance of a need to measure FM performance is in contrast to a lack of a systematic process for determining appropriate measurements. This proposed study provides a performance‐based approach that considers the FM process elements for measurement to be people‐process‐output‐customers.