Facilities management tends to be technically orientated and reactive. However, the information revolution is having massive impacts in terms of where, when and how people work…
Abstract
Facilities management tends to be technically orientated and reactive. However, the information revolution is having massive impacts in terms of where, when and how people work. As a consequence “facilities” are being propelled to centre stage as a strategic issue, even if they were not perceived as such before. To grasp this opportunity facilities managers need to engage in a balanced, coherent set of operational and strategic interactions and this paper sets out a generic model that identifies these. In addition, to address the strategic issues strong relationships with key players need to be progressively established so that tacit knowledge can flow creatively. This has profound implications for the required mindset, knowledge and skills of facilities managers.
Kherun Nita Ali, Ming Sun, Gary Petley and Peter Barrett
This paper examines the business process of reactive maintenance projects and proposes an improvement through information technology. Among the major problems that have been…
Abstract
This paper examines the business process of reactive maintenance projects and proposes an improvement through information technology. Among the major problems that have been revealed from the process analysis are getting the right problem for the right contractor, double handling of data entry and transferring information. These are due to lack of knowledge sharing and poor communication between different parties. Based on these problems, several requirements are laid out and they are used as a basis to develop a prototype system named MoPMIT (More Productive Minor Construction through IT). The main aim of the system is to explore the use of Web‐based technology to improve the managing of reactive maintenance projects. The system architecture and functional requirement of the MoPMIT system are well explained in this paper.
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Patrick Hopkinson, Peter Bryngelsson, Andrew Voyce, Mats Niklasson and Jerome Carson
The purpose of this study is to mirror the late guitarist Peter Green’s life experiences through insights from Andrew Voyce, who recovered from mental illness, and expertise from…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to mirror the late guitarist Peter Green’s life experiences through insights from Andrew Voyce, who recovered from mental illness, and expertise from Peter Bryngelsson, a Swedish professional musician and author.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used a mixed method of collaborative autoethnography, psychobiography and digital team ethnography.
Findings
Despite having not previously attracted academic interest, Peter Green’s experiences of mental health problems and his return to recording and performance provide a rich data source when mirrored and compared to the lives and experiences of Andrew Voyce and Peter Bryngelsson.
Research limitations/implications
The main limitation of this piece of work is that Peter Green died in 2020. During the process of writing, the authors have had to follow different, mostly unacademic, sources that have described various parts of Peter Green’s life. The authors have given examples and drawn conclusions from their own lives as well as from academic sources, which they have found appropriate.
Practical implications
Both Andrew Voyce and Peter Bryngelsson’s stories would be helpful when it comes to a deeper understanding as to why Peter Green “took a left turn”, i.e., turned his back on an accepted lifestyle.
Social implications
Acid casualty is a problem connected to both mental distress and to the music industry. Peter Bryngelsson’s story tells us that one can remain sane and drug free and still be an influential and creative musician.
Originality/value
The analysis has brought together two stories of mental distress in combination with insights.
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Patrick Hopkinson and Mats Niklasson
This paper aims to introduce International Digital Collaborative Autoethnographical Psychobiography (IDCAP).
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to introduce International Digital Collaborative Autoethnographical Psychobiography (IDCAP).
Design/methodology/approach
This paper describes how IDCAP was developed to answer research questions about what it takes and what it means to recover from mental illness. During its development, IDCAP combined the diverse and intersectional experiences, knowledge and interests of an Anglo-Swedish research team with what could be found in different publications concerning the experiences and the mental illnesses of the musicians Syd Barrett, Peter Green and Brian Wilson.
Findings
IDCAP combines features of autoethnography and psychobiography to offer a novel qualitative research method.
Research limitations/implications
Whilst IDCAP was created to focus on recovery from mental illness and musicians, it can be applied to other areas of research. It shares the same limitations as autoethnography and psychobiography, although some of the features of IDCAP may go some way to mitigate against these.
Practical implications
IDCAP is a novel research method that is offered to other researchers to develop and enhance further through application.
Social implications
IDCAP is a collaborative research method that encourages the involvement of a wide range of researchers from different countries and cultures. It can be used to give voice to marginalised groups and to counter discrimination and prejudice. Recovery from mental illness is a topic of great personal and social value.
Originality/value
IDCAP is a novel research method that, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, has not been explicitly used before.
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The purpose of this article is to present an overview of the history and development of transaction log analysis (TLA) in library and information science research. Organizing a…
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to present an overview of the history and development of transaction log analysis (TLA) in library and information science research. Organizing a literature review of the first twenty‐five years of TLA poses some challenges and requires some decisions. The primary organizing principle could be a strict chronology of the published research, the research questions addressed, the automated information retrieval (IR) systems that generated the data, the results gained, or even the researchers themselves. The group of active transaction log analyzers remains fairly small in number, and researchers who use transaction logs tend to use this method more than once, so tracing the development and refinement of individuals' uses of the methodology could provide insight into the progress of the method as a whole. For example, if we examine how researchers like W. David Penniman, John Tolle, Christine Borgman, Ray Larson, and Micheline Hancock‐Beaulieu have modified their own understandings and applications of the method over time, we may get an accurate sense of the development of all applications.
Gives the results of a survey in which the principal determinantsof the ability levels of individual construction professionals wereidentified. Highlights variations in the…
Abstract
Gives the results of a survey in which the principal determinants of the ability levels of individual construction professionals were identified. Highlights variations in the results between different disciplines and describes the alternative possible organizational reactions to assist those of lower ability. Explores the wider implications of these reactions.
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Peter Barrett and Michael Howard
Offers advice to surveyors and property managers as to how to dealwith an infestation of rats in buildings. Considers the scale of andchanges in the rat population, and discusses…
Abstract
Offers advice to surveyors and property managers as to how to deal with an infestation of rats in buildings. Considers the scale of and changes in the rat population, and discusses their habits and needs, the implication of which are highlighted by a case study on the Hulme Estate in Manchester. Describes the various types of damage that can be caused, and shows how evidence of an infestation can be detected. Explores alternative remedies to the problem and suggests clauses for a report. Declares that infestations are the consequence of either poor building design or poor property management.
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Monty Sutrisna and Peter Barrett
Information and findings from investigations of construction projects using qualitative methodologies such as the grounded theory methodology (GTM) are inevitably rich. When using…
Abstract
Purpose
Information and findings from investigations of construction projects using qualitative methodologies such as the grounded theory methodology (GTM) are inevitably rich. When using multiple case studies, the cross‐case analysis procedure has been found overwhelming and difficult to grasp all at once. Hence, an approach using rich picture diagrams (RPD) has been applied specifically for the purpose of modelling case studies and capturing the richness of the information along the case studies' storylines. This paper aims to explain the reasoning behind and the development process of such diagrams.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper investigates the underlying concepts of the GTM, case study approach, and the soft system methodology (SSM) from which the RPD was originally derived. Based on the identified agreement between and consistency of both methodologies, the development of RPD to model case studies in an ongoing research project (using the GTM) is explained. The subsequent cross‐case analysis procedure is also discussed, leading to conclusions.
Findings
The paper demonstrates the applicability of the RPD originating from the SSM as a tool to present the storylines of case studies within the GTM, to improve presentation and enable thorough cross‐case analysis by providing a holistic view of the storylines.
Originality/value
In response to the scholarly challenge to contribute to the further development of the GTM, the paper presents the application of a tool from SSM (i.e. the RPD). Whilst enriching the techniques within the GTM, this application provides a solution for researchers and stakeholders to model case studies of construction projects.
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Argues, with evidence from a number of related studies, that in order to effectively manage quality in the construction project environment, firms need two things. First…
Abstract
Argues, with evidence from a number of related studies, that in order to effectively manage quality in the construction project environment, firms need two things. First, externally orientated, flexible, quality improvement systems are required. Second, firms need a targeted approach to investing in key stable relationships in the supply network of which they are a part.
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Outlines the background to the FM research in Salford University′sDepartment of Surveying culminating in the establishment of a FacilitiesManagement Research Unit and the…
Abstract
Outlines the background to the FM research in Salford University′s Department of Surveying culminating in the establishment of a Facilities Management Research Unit and the commencement of a major £350,000 project to produce workbooks of good FM practice. This project is briefly described. The future of FM research is discussed in relation to the distinctive characteristics of facilities management itself and the current state of development of research in this field. It is suggested that wide syntheses and focused studies are both required and must all be of high academic rigour if the discipline is to blossom. Equally important is the development of a strong research community.