Chasing the mirage: managing facilities in a virtual world
| Type | Journal |
|---|---|
| Author(s) | Grimshaw,B. , Cairns,G. |
| Publication year | 2000 |
| Notes | ID: GRIMSHAW2000A; Two leading academic commentators argue the need for a longer term 'action research' programme in FM in the UK. Bob and George add their voice again, to the observation that FM, with its unique promise of co-ordinating different skills and operations, has failed to develop the metrics that substantiate such a claim (see also the main occupier.org report. An interesting argument is made that since the 'Hawthorne' experiments traditional management has seen the phsyical environment as an 'envelope' around the organisation, one in which people accept a discipline that is very different from their democratic rights outside, but one that is seen as neutral in terms of performance. New workplaces, the authors argue, do not break out from this mindset. Those working in 'club' environments, for example, do not necessarily enjoy the sense of membership and ownership of the true club. An interesting speculation in terms of the new working debate. If workers were given an accomodation allowance, but no workspace, then allowed to purchase what they needed to deliver what they had agreed to perform, what would the reaction to new ways of working become?. It is, to this reviewer at least, a tantalising thought. Above all it is argued that FM must move the debate over infrastucture from cost to value. Where its practitioners meet such statements receive warm agreement, they are part of the 'motherhood and aplle pie' of the profession, but in the research programmes, business offerings and daily practice the rhetoric in use remains different. |
| Publication | Facilities |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue | 10/11/2012 |
| Start page | 392 |
| End page | 401 |
| Relevance to practice | Low in the immediate term but yet again a crucial message |
| Ease of application | NA |
| Stage of application | NA |
| Evidence base | NA |
| Readability | High |
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