Towards facilities management practice within a different environment

Abstract

This paper examines facilities management practice within a different environment.
It assessed how the facilities manager responds differently in a different environment.
Therefore, an extensive review of documented literature related to the concept of FM
and the role of the facilities manager was conducted which forms part of the
methodology. The review revealed that FM entails an integrated approach to
maintaining, improving, and adapting the buildings, systems, and services of an
organization to create an environment that strongly supports the primary objectives of
that organization. The facility manager or the FM practitioner is therefore responsible
for the effective and efficient provision of facilities and services to support an
organization in achieving its primary objectives through operational and strategic
approaches. The provision of these services follows the specific needs and requirements
of the organization regardless of the application of generic standard solutions and
practices or a universal approach. The paper suggests that the facilities manager or
practitioner respond differently in a different environment rather than confining to
generic standards and best practices. This is because appropriate FM practice and
arrangement for a given organization determines by factors such as the organization's
characteristics, facility features, business sector, and environmental factors.