Outsourcing decision factors of building operation and maintenance services in the commercial sector

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kittipong Suweero ◽  
Wutthipong Moungnoi ◽  
Chotchai Charoenngam
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Commercial Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Decision Factors ◽  
Operation And Maintenance ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
Participant Group ◽  
Building Operation ◽  
Outsourcing Decision ◽  
One Way Anova

Purpose Building operation and maintenance (BOM) services are important activities for highly competitive businesses. In addition, outsourcing decision factors are key to the effectiveness of BOM. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to identify and prioritize the decision factors that affect outsourcing decision factors for BOM services, to elicit the different perceptions of each managerial group (shopping centers, hotels, and hospitals), and to categorize the important outsourced BOM decision factors. Design/methodology/approach On the basis of the literature review, the authors observed that there are 56 outsourcing decision factors in six groups. The survey included 105 of the largest and most competitive companies in Bangkok, Thailand. The statistical methods applied were the relative importance index (RII), t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and factor analysis (FA). Findings The findings show that the three participant groups are different in some respects, as shown by their RII values. After ranking the RII values, the top 15 factors for each participant group were used to compare the participant groups using the t-test and one-way ANOVA, which confirmed their respective similarities and differences. Through an FA, the top reasons that each business outsourced BOM services were grouped into major categories. Originality/value The results of this research will not only facilitate an understanding of the related decision factors used by each particular business in the commercial sector but will also assist outsourcing companies in identifying and improving support services for businesses.

A benchmarking approach to the progress of green materials and systems’ use in the UAE construction industry

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aly Elgayar ◽  
Salwa Mamoun Beheiry ◽  
Alaa Jabbar ◽  
Hamad Al Ansari
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Green Materials ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
Regulatory Guidelines

Purpose Over the past decade, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) introduced several green regulatory guidelines, federal decrees, and a considerable number of environmentally friendly initiatives. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the top green materials and systems used currently in the UAE construction industry as per the new laws dictate as well as see if professionals are switching over to incorporate more green materials, systems, and/or designs. Design/methodology/approach The work involved reviewing internationally popular green materials and systems for construction, developing a questionnaire based on the literature review, surveying professionals in the seven UAE emirates, and ranking the findings based on the relative importance index. Findings Findings found the top used green materials and system in the UAE’s construction industry. As well as identified that there is a communication gap between the design and implementation phases that is possibly hindering the use of more green materials and systems. Originality/value This study sets a baseline to measure the UAE’s progress over the coming years in terms of integrating more green construction materials, systems, methodologies, and trends.

Fire risk of apparel manufacturing buildings in Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
R.M.D.I.M. Rathnayake ◽  
P. Sridarran ◽  
M.D.T.E. Abeynayake
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Fire Safety ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Fire Risk ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Apparel Manufacturing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
Indirect Impacts

Purpose The total essence of apparel manufacturing buildings (AMBs) is highly influenced by fire incidents which are caused direct or indirect impacts to the present building structure or even in old age. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the fire risk of AMBs in Sri Lanka. Design/methodology/approach A literature review was conducted to explore the local and international fire incidents in AMBs and identify 24 factors that contribute to fire risk of AMBs. A questionnaire survey with professionals who have the knowledge and experience related to past fire incidents and 18 interviews with professionals of fire safety management were carried out. Content analysis was involved to evaluate interviewees’ opinions and relative importance index was involved to rank identified factors that contribute to the fire risk of AMBs. Findings The results revealed that due to the business nature of AMBs hold a high risk for fire incidents. The study discovered 83.4% of high fire risk prevailing in AMBs in Sri Lanka. Faulty wiring, welding work with electrical sparks and accumulation of waste fabric, paper and other garbage recognized as the top three factors that contribute to the fire risk of AMBs in Sri Lanka. Finally, the strategies proposed to eliminate identified all 41 factors that contribute to the fire risk of AMBs in Sri Lanka. Originality/value The paper helps to guide facility owners regarding the fire safety of AMBs in Sri Lanka.

FIZ AutoDoc – the customer-oriented document delivery service

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 122-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Hauser
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Full Description ◽  
Commercial Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Document Delivery ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Commercial Organizations ◽  
Document Delivery Service ◽  
Valuable Service

Purpose – To describe both the service and recent developments of FIZ AutoDoc. Design/methodology/approach – An in depth description with particular emphasis on copyright issues. Findings – That FIZ AutoDoc has developed to respond to the information needs of its customers primarily in the commercial sector internationally. Originality/value – A full description of a valuable service that draws upon the resources of many partners to provide commercial organizations with the information that they need.

Coordination to choreography: the evolution of humanitarian supply chains

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ray Grange ◽  
Graham Heaslip ◽  
Caroline McMullan
Keyword(s):  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Humanitarian Aid ◽  
Commercial Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chains ◽  
Network Coordination ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Network Orchestration

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify how coordination has evolved in humanitarian logistics (HL), what were the triggers for change and how have they been facilitated. Design/methodology/approach This paper applies a systematic literature review of academic journals. Findings This is the first paper to discuss the concepts of network orchestration and choreography in a humanitarian context. The research revealed that network coordination has moved on in the commercial sector to include orchestration and now, choreography concepts which have not been tested in HL literature. This reveals a lag exists between HL research and practice. Research limitations/implications This paper represents an exploratory study and provides the basis for further research on the concepts of orchestration and choreography in HL. The paper sets a research agenda for academics. Practical implications This paper is the first to discuss the concepts of network orchestration and choreography in a humanitarian context. Originality/value The areas of orchestration and choreography have received limited consideration within the humanitarian aid logistics literature to date. This paper is designed to redress this shortfall. As a result, it is hoped that it will act as a catalyst for further research and to widen and deepen the resultant debate with a view to improving the outcome for those affected by current and future disasters.

Benchmarking the outsourcing factors of third-party logistics services selection: analysing influential strength and building a sustainable decision model

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharfuddin Ahmed Khan ◽  
Shahed Alkhatib ◽  
Zaina Ammar ◽  
Md. Abdul Moktadir ◽  
Anil Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Strategic Alliances ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Third Party Logistics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Decision Factors ◽  
Logistics Service ◽  
Outsourcing Decision

PurposeOutsourcings always affect crucial supply chain functions concerning flexibility and cost. During the decision to outsource and consider third-party logistics service provider selection, decision-makers need to pay more attention to certain critical outsourcing factors such as coordination, integration and cooperation as these key factors are essential to improve overall supply chain performance. The main purpose of this work is to identify the inter-relations among outsourcing decision factors to highlight the most important and influential factors that should be considered and carefully thought through when making outsourcing sustainable decisions.Design/methodology/approachA two-phased methodology has been used in this study. In the first phase, outsourcing decision factors are identified from existing literature and validated by decision-makers from industry and academia. To understand the influential strength and build a sustainable model, the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory method is used. A courier company in the UAE is considered for implementation.FindingsAll identified and validated factors are segregated into two categories (cause and effect). The result shows that the most influential factors are developing strategic alliances, uncertainty and risk mitigation and deficiency of internal resources for a service.Practical implicationsThere are several insights for industry managers and practitioners. The results of the study may help practitioners and logistics managers to make the logistics service sustainable and more efficient for businesses.Originality/valueThis study focusses on a courier company to understand the interdependencies among outsourcing decision factors; this is unique in this field of literature.

Outsourcing decision: do strategy and structure really matter?

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepa Mishra ◽  
Sameer Kumar ◽  
R.R.K. Sharma ◽  
Rameshwar Dubey
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Orientations ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Strategy And Structure ◽  
Outsourcing Decision

Purpose Although there is a growing body of literature on human resource (HR) outsourcing, there are still unresolved issues regarding the level of outsourcing HR activities initiated in firms having different strategies and structures. This is relevant to examine because firms with different orientations (strategy and structure) cannot do HR outsourcing at the same level. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach A theoretical framework is developed and empirically validated using survey data from 184 manufacturing firms in India. The analysis involved testing a number of hypotheses through statistical techniques using the confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. Findings The results indicate that firms having prospector orientation are more likely to outsource non-core HR activities as compared to firms having analyzer and defender orientation strategies, in that order. However, in comparison to non-core HR activities, core HR activities are less likely to be outsourced by firms with different strategic orientations (prospector, analyser, and defender). Originality/value This research study underscores the linkage between HR outsourcing and strategy and structure of a firm by developing a theoretical framework.

Soft skills requirements in e-complaint project team to support facilities management at Malaysian polytechnics

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zul-Atfi Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Maintenance Management ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Facilities Management ◽  
Soft Skill ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Operation And Maintenance ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Working Practices

PurposeIn the context of the study, soft skill means identifying efficient and effective approaches for improving operation and maintenance (O&M) processes in facilities management and extending the management of building facilities and infrastructure. Applying the concept of soft skill to the O&M processes of facilities management at polytechnics in Malaysia, the paper aims to identify problems with conventional working practices in this area and to recommend potential solutions.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews evidence that conventional working methods generate significant problems related to paper-based forms, improper database management and flawed decision-making processes.FindingsThe paper finds that the application of the concept of soft skill reveals the need for more sophisticated management solutions in the O&M processes of facilities management.Originality/valueThe concept of soft skill will guide future improvements and developments in maintenance management systems (MMS) to fulfil requirements in this area.

Analysing the gaps in the conventional e-complaint method for maintenance management at Malaysian polytechnics

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 861-875
Author(s):  
Zul-Atfi Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Conventional Method ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Maintenance Management ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Facilities Management ◽  
Major Conclusion ◽  
Major Drawback ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Operation And Maintenance ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Purpose Several previous studies have described the use of maintenance management (MM) at polytechnic institutions. However, a major drawback of those studies is that they did not reveal the actual support for MM as practiced using the conventional method. To describe the full situation at polytechnics, the gaps in the conventional method must be determined. Thus, the purpose of this study is to analyse the gaps in the conventional method for actual MM as practiced at Malaysian polytechnics. Design/methodology/approach The existence of these gaps must be explored further to reach a better understanding of the utilisation of the conventional method for MM. Primary data were gathered through interviews to develop the proposed system. The major conclusion drawn from the interview results is that there is a lack of comprehensive MM systems that integrate the operation and maintenance processes of facilities management and software programming to guide the decision-making processes. The interview results also reveal irregularities within the MM database used by Malaysian polytechnics related to e-complaints, as well as the fact that the database is unsystematic. Findings The findings show the need for sophisticated MM at polytechnics. Originality/value The identified gaps will guide future improvements to develop MM systems that meet the solution needs.

Building operation and maintenance: manpower in Hong Kong

Facilities ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 220-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph H.K. Lai
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
The State ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Full Spectrum ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Operation And Maintenance ◽  
Training Courses ◽  
Building Operation ◽  
Manpower Needs

Purpose The study aims to reveal the state of building operation and maintenance (O&M) manpower in Hong Kong. In addition, the study included supply and demand of O&M practitioners, gaps between their required and possessed competences and ways to meet the manpower needs. Design/methodology/approach After developing a model that integrates manpower levels (L), trades (T) and natures (N) of O&M works (named as “LTN” model), a full spectrum of O&M jobs were established followed by collecting data of 75 organizations and 402 stakeholders through two surveys. Findings Besides the large O&M workforce, vacancy rates of the jobs were found to be significant. For the different trades and natures of O&M works, the knowledge/skills levels perceived by the stakeholders were lower than the corresponding importance levels. Research limitations/implications The methodology of the study can be used in future research for revealing the state of O&M manpower in Hong Kong and cities alike. The way in which the “LTN” model was developed may be used as a reference for constructing similar models for manpower research in other industries. Practical implications The findings and the measures for improving the O&M manpower can assist policymakers and human resources departments to formulate necessary education and training courses for the building industry. Originality/value The study is the first of its kind focusing on building O&M manpower. The state of the manpower it unveiled forms a basis for comparison with similar findings in future.

Academia and document supply: unsustainable contradictions at INIST?

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 131-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond Berard ◽  
Etienne Fleuret ◽  
Jacqueline Gillet ◽  
Jean-Yves Mougel
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Open Access ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Technical Information ◽  
Current Situation ◽  
Commercial Sector ◽  
Long Tail ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Scientific And Technical Information

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to describe the current situation at the Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (INIST) the French document supply centre after their difficulties with open access articles during 2013. Design/methodology/approach – A narrative and analytical explanation by the director of INIST. Findings – That INIST will no longer service the commercial sector and will provide documents to researchers in CNRS for free and priced to French higher education establishments. The growth in open access will mean that INIST is ceasing to be an industrial scale operation and will be concerned primarily with “long tail” requests. Originality/value – Certainly, the only account in English of the difficulties that INIST has faced in the past three years and how they have been dealt with.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document