Siti Uzairiah Mohd Tobi, Dilanthi Amaratunga and Nazali Mohd Noor
The paper seeks to build a theoretical argument on social enterprise applications in an urban facilities management (urban FM) setting, by exploring the concepts of urban FM and…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper seeks to build a theoretical argument on social enterprise applications in an urban facilities management (urban FM) setting, by exploring the concepts of urban FM and its underlying philosophy.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on an extensive literature review within and around the concept of urban FM and its relationship with social enterprise principles, forming a basis for further research in this area.
Findings
Urban FM could be used as a mechanism to develop the sustainable design and management of community facilities operations by taking social enterprise as an approach to seek a new service delivery model.
Research limitations/implications
There is limited literature relating to urban FM, and it is one of the new critical alignments in FM that is waiting to be explored further. However, within this new exploration of urban FM knowledge, the paper considers a sustainable way of managing community facilities, raising important social implications for the FM industry,
Originality/value
The paper argues that the concept of urban FM and social enterprise principles can be applied in their relationship towards managing community facilities in a sustainable way.
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This paper describes the choice to develop an in‐house content management system for the Coalfield Web Materials and the Mine of Information projects currently running at the…
Abstract
This paper describes the choice to develop an in‐house content management system for the Coalfield Web Materials and the Mine of Information projects currently running at the University of Wales Swansea.
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Hints that performance measurement systems are inaccurate in that whatis measured is often not done. Suggests changing plans of measurementcan often defeat their achievement; and…
Abstract
Hints that performance measurement systems are inaccurate in that what is measured is often not done. Suggests changing plans of measurement can often defeat their achievement; and addresses the problem of devising cost‐effective measurement systems which measure the correct items and minimize any disastrous consequences. Highlights some of these disasters with examples of unintended side effects.
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Tomas Mudrak, Andreas van Wagenberg and Emiel Wubben
Facility management (FM) teams must deal with the creation of value in the physical world of resources and a virtual world made of information. Therefore, an innovative approach…
Abstract
Facility management (FM) teams must deal with the creation of value in the physical world of resources and a virtual world made of information. Therefore, an innovative approach in the day‐to‐day FM operation is crucial. Studying the innovative ability of the FM teams contributes to the ongoing discussion in the field concerning the innovative ability of in‐house FM departments in comparison to their outsourced counterparts. The focus of this article is on the innovative ability of in‐house and outsourced FM teams. The article addresses the issue of innovative ability of FM teams from a theoretical perspective, suggesting an assessment framework to be used, providing an overview of implementation mechanisms of an innovation project. It concludes with a methodological application of the framework developed.
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The purpose of this paper is to seek to ascertain how many electronic resource troubleshooting LibGuides are in use and what level of support they tend to provide. LibGuides have…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to seek to ascertain how many electronic resource troubleshooting LibGuides are in use and what level of support they tend to provide. LibGuides have become quite popular in academic libraries as a tool for subject and college liaison librarians to deliver library-mediated content to colleges and individual classes. Another promising area for their use is to provide electronic resource troubleshooting support to students and faculty, as well as to other library staff.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of electronic resource troubleshooting LibGuides was obtained through a Google advanced search augmented by additional searches in the limited LibGuides community search utility. These LibGuides were selected according to a standard definition of troubleshooting and were analyzed for content on 36 support variables.
Findings
A relatively small number of LibGuides were located, and a thorough treatment of electronic resource access issues was present in only a limited number of the LibGuides found.
Research limitations/implications
While some LibGuides may have gone undiscovered owing to an incomplete search strategy for discovery, subsequent efforts to find overlooked pages were mostly fruitless. The relatively small number of electronic resource troubleshooting LibGuides discovered coupled with their simplicity may indicate that the use of LibGuides platform in this capacity has not gained traction.
Originality/value
While there have been many case studies discussing the use of LibGuides as a subject and course guide platform, relatively few have explored the use of LibGuides outside of their traditional subject-focused implementation, and none have looked at LibGuides as a potential platform to aid in electronic resource access troubleshooting.
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Stephen Wigley and Christopher M. Moore
The paper aims to define the components crucial to international fashion retailer success and to establish how these components may be practically managed by a firm in order to…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to define the components crucial to international fashion retailer success and to establish how these components may be practically managed by a firm in order to achieve success.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper employs a case study approach.
Findings
The paper proposes that there are three components crucial to international fashion retailer success – coherent international brand management, disciplined distribution control, and retail presentation consistent with the marketing image. This may be achieved via centralised control structures or via effective management of relationships with foreign agents.
Research limitations/implications
This is an exploratory study requiring further quantitative investigation.
Originality/value
The paper applies theoretical approaches to practical issues, and offers a practical account of how overseas fashion retailer success may be affected by firm management decisions and competencies.
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JAMES E. DOOLEY and ROSS T. NEWKIRK
The authors describe a computer‐based planning system which can be used to find continuous near‐linear routes for utilities subject to numerous constraints. A major difficulty…
Abstract
The authors describe a computer‐based planning system which can be used to find continuous near‐linear routes for utilities subject to numerous constraints. A major difficulty resolved was to analyse accurately the discrete valued impact surface over an area in excess of 2700 square miles in extent. The planning system involves the application of computer procedures to an extensive data bank and the use of computer graphics techniques. The authors discuss the determination of orthogonal impact factors, data base development and the development of computational modules to provide discrete impact scaling. Of particular importance is the development of the Newkirk Cascade Algorithm to combine impact predictions.
Antoine Vernet, Martin Kilduff and Ammon Salter
Bipartite networks (e.g., software developers linked to open-source projects) are common in settings studied by organization scholars. But the structure underlying bipartite…
Abstract
Bipartite networks (e.g., software developers linked to open-source projects) are common in settings studied by organization scholars. But the structure underlying bipartite networks tends to be overlooked. Commonly, two modes are reduced to one mode for analysis, causing loss of information. We review techniques for projecting 2-modes onto 1-mode and discuss 2-mode measures of clustering. We also address the potential for 2-mode theory development concerning (a) how change in one mode influences change in the other, (b) the question of two types of agency, and (c) how diversity in one mode is a substitute for diversity in the other mode.
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The vehicle development process (VDP) is iterative in nature with numerous interactions and information flows between design groups and between development phases. The VDP has…
Abstract
The vehicle development process (VDP) is iterative in nature with numerous interactions and information flows between design groups and between development phases. The VDP has been changed from a sequential‐functional development to a concurrent‐team based approach. Concurrent execution of design activities may reduce the development lead‐time, but it increases the managerial complexity in the VDP. A system dynamics model was developed to understand the transient behavior of parallel, overlap, and sequential processes in the VDP and to determine the optimal level of overlapping considering the development lead‐time and total number of reworks. The simulation results showed that different execution processes should be used, depending upon the intensity of reworks.
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Jan Bröchner, Tore Haugen and Carmel Lindkvist
Against the background of earlier publications on the future of facilities management (FM) and acknowledging digitalization and sustainability as two major shaping forces, the…
Abstract
Purpose
Against the background of earlier publications on the future of facilities management (FM) and acknowledging digitalization and sustainability as two major shaping forces, the purpose of this paper is to place contributions to the special issue in the perspective of current opportunities for FM research.
Design/methodology/approach
After a review of publications since the 1980s, dealing with the future of FM, there is an analysis of how the forces of digitalization and sustainability have emerged over five decades. The articles of this special issue are introduced against this background. Opportunities for future FM research are identified, and the relation between research, education and practice is discussed.
Findings
Megatrends outlined in the 1980s still shape how FM develops. Digitalization supports sustainability not only through workplace change and building design but also through performance measurement, certification schemes and an awareness of the wider urban context.
Research limitations/implications
Opportunities for FM research are created by digitalization and concerns with sustainability, combining environmental and social aspects. Relations between organizations studied in an FM context are important. Within organizations, employee issues and risk management are emphasized.
Practical implications
Policies and schemes for sustainable buildings should be linked to sustainable FM more clearly. The relation between research, education and practice needs to be consolidated as a basis for research and development, as illustrated by a number of studies belonging to this special issue. To reach the goals of sustainable development, we need to develop the knowledge and theoretical frameworks that can be applied to and used by practice. The recent ISO FM definition appears as narrow and should be extended to recognize facilities’ life-cycle issues as well as broader urban and social concerns.
Originality/value
This paper highlights the importance of basing FM research on an understanding of the fundamental forces that shape change.