James Pinder

A method for evaluating workplace utility

Acquiring office buildings that provide the required level of utility, and maintaining the buildings in that state, should be a priority for any organisation. Failure to do so may give rise to increased churn, reduced productivity, higher employee turnover, increased staff absenteeism and rising health care costs related to heightened stress. There is, however, no single measure of office building utility. Discusses the development of a valid and reliable scale for measuring the utility of public sector office buildings. Data collection involved the use of focus groups and an online survey of 1,800 building occupants. The findings suggest that the utility of public sector office buildings can be measured using a 22‐item scale comprising four dimensions. The potential applications of the scale and its use in current research are examined.

“Economic” and “functional” obsolescence: Their characteristics and impacts on valuation practice

Purpose – This paper has three principal aims: to briefly consider the term “depreciation” in the context of property values; to critically review the term “obsolescence” and two of its distinct forms; and to highlight the practical difficulties in pricing obsolescence using inflexible methodologies in a market place that is subject to evolving criteria.Design/methodology/approach – The paper critically reviews existing literature and advice from international professional bodies.Findings – The general conclusions are that despite the need to be more explicit in valuations, current methods are unable to address such detail. The guidance and advice offered by professional bodies need to be thoroughly revised. It is hoped that the progress being made in methodology will be incorporated in directed guidance to practitioners.Originality/value – The paper offers an applied examination of an issue that has an impact on many aspects of contemporary real estate consultancy services.

The impact of facilities management on patient outcomes

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which practicing National Health Service (NHS) facilities managers thought that the contribution of facilities management (FM) could be measured in terms of health outcomes.Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire was distributed to NHS facilities or estate managers from the majority of NHS trusts in England and Wales.Findings – In general, there is little or no evidence from pre‐existing research to prove the contribution of FM in terms of health outcomes. However, in spite of this, 59 per cent of facilities managers in the NHS believe that the contribution of FM could be measured yet only a relatively small number of Trusts (16 per cent) have attempted to measure the contribution of FM. The analysis of the secondary data does not show any conclusive evidence of a correlation between FM and health outcomes.Research limitations/implications – The scope of the study did not extend to collecting empirical evidence to prove the contribu...

Application of data envelopment analysis to benchmark building outputs

– To present practical examples of a new approach to facilities benchmarking that uses data envelopment analysis to compare multiple output per m2 ratios., – Demonstrates the first known use in facilities management of a new analytical technique., – A practical comparison of office buildings demonstrates that a combination of high user satisfaction and better than average accommodation efficiency can be obtained. Suggests a threshold density above which user satisfaction will decrease., – The full potential for this new approach remains an active research project., – The new approach has already been applied in practice., – Original research using a technique that is new to facilities management and a challenge to prevailing conventions for facilities benchmarking metrics.

Managing Change in Domestic Renewable Energy Schemes

The UK Government proposal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the residential sector to as close to zero as possible by 2050 is highly ambitious. Many proposals, strategies and technologies exist to meet this target, however there is currently a lack of empirical research and peer-reviewed data to measure their comparative effectiveness in meeting that target. The paper reviews current literature and applies lessons learned from two case studies where renewable technologies (solar thermal and photovoltaics) were installed. User attitudes towards the renewable technologies are evaluated in both case studies. The study finds that the 2050 target is unlikely to be met using the “fit and forget” approach to renewable technologies traditionally taken by house builders and housing providers. The paper posits that an understanding of the interaction between individuals and renewables is critical to their long term success and that future renewable installations will need to be accompanied by a programme of behavioural change management to ensure the maximum benefits, both in financial and environmental terms, are obtained.