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Expresses the fear that the implementation of the new Display Screen Equipment (VDU) Regulations will ignore the wider environmental issues and reduce workplace ergonomics to the “single issue”, thereby reproducing the mistakes of the 1980s, such as emphasis on artificial lighting systems and the consequent increase in electricity consumption, which contributed to the sick building syndrome. Concludes that, rather than accept the ergonomics expert′s advice, managers must appreciate their staffs′ views and consult management information, thus satisfying both the Regulations and the new enlightened stance on the environment. Otherwise the old design disasters will probably repeat themselves.

Radical changes are being planned in the way the Fire Precautions Act (Facilities, May 1985) is administered in the United Kingdom. The Home Office is suggesting a system of ‘self‐certification’ so that the role of the fire authorities can be reduced. Facilities managers should take note of this possible development as the burden of fire safety may weigh more heavily on their shoulders. These are controversial proposals and interested parties have the chance to make their opinions count. A consultation process is under way and continues until the end of the year. Copies of the review document are available from the Home Office (see references).

Smoking at work, as reported in Facilities in March 1986, is an increasingly controversial issue. The more people who ‘kick the habit’ (over a million gave up between 1980–1982) the more non‐smokers there are to complain. Not only are people annoyed by the smells and irritations — dry eyes, sore throats — caused by cigarette smoke but they are becoming worried by the growing evidence that passive smoking, the involuntary inhalation of other people's smoke, is dangerous to their health.

Information, in its written and printed form, remains fundamental to all office work. Why, then, are so many companies unable to store paper effectively? A widespread reduction in the demand for storage was predicted along with the paperless office but instead technological developments have increased the complexity of the storage management task. There are more diverse media to store and more options for storing them.

Without doubt office work is becoming more hazardous. Much health and safety literature deals with risks that are always with us — like falling off ladders, tripping over cables, toppling file cabinets and blocked fire exits. But there is increasing worldwide concern now over the health hazards of toxic materials in the office, viral and bacterial infection from air conditioning systems, radiation hazards from VDUs, and the danger of strain injuries from repetitive use of badly designed equipment.

Investigates in depth Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) and the means to deal with the problem. Shows that ignoring job stress can actually increase the incidence of SBS. Modern management control systems should aid in reducing discomfort and make for a healthier and more economical environment. Concludes that optimizing environmental quality and performance should be targets for senior operational managers.

Last month we introduced the advantages of new generation fire alarm systems. We ended our introduction on a cautionary note, however, by warning facilities managers to be wary of the indiscriminate claims of those selling ‘intelligent technology’, which is currently something of a fad in building services. Sound experience of analogue/addressable systems in use is not widespread: the potential for extra capital costs with this equipment and the opportunities for customised designs, means that care must be taken in comparing your needs with the varied facilities available. Some companies specialising in new generation systems accept that they are not the answer for all applications. Others do not Coping with this commercial bias, in the face of genuinely different design philosophies, will prove difficult; more so because of the absence of definite codes and standards (BS 5839 is currently being revised). This article hopes to present some useful information to help you procure the right system.

One of the facilities manager's continuing problems is meeting his responsibilities with respect to fire safety. In this field he is working with difficult legal requirements, fragmented among many local statutes, ad hoc standards and recommendations. To meet these requirements he must call upon his full range of skills. He must be able to balance a concern for hardware and technology with a need to ensure that building occupants are trained and that an effective fire plan is in existence.

This study has two aims: first, to develop a conceptual model for infused drinks innovation using the subjective norm and lifestyle as predictors; and second, to adapt the beverage science experimental variables and assess young consumers' experience of the taste, mood and health of infused drinks using the moderated mediation method.

Using quota sampling, the data were collected from three faculties in a private university. The conceptual model was developed using structural equation modelling (SEM). The model was validated by the first‐ and second‐order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of SEM. The multi‐dimensional variables of the taste, mood and health of the infused drinks were computed by the moderated mediation process and the final mediation effects were confirmed using Aroian tests.

The subjective norm and lifestyle variables predict innovation in infused soft drinks. The results from the moderated mediation analyses indicate that both male and female young consumers prefer the innovation of drinks to suit local tastes and be produced locally; the drinks should also have health and well‐being benefits.

The sample size of 350 students was sufficient but the generalisability of the result was limited by the students being recruited from one university.

Parents may influence their children to change their favourite drinks if they are expensive. For this reason, the pricing strategy is important to price‐sensitive consumers. Offering favourite infused drinks to friends is often part of the lifestyle in Malaysia. In practice, implied recommendation is possible. If this happens, there is the likelihood that it may be communicated through the social network. Marketers should use this platform for promoting new drinks. Beverage innovators should learn from the local popular infused drinks as the baseline for drinks innovation and should innovate to suit local tastes. In particular, beverage manufacturers should consider satisfying the market segmentations for flavour lovers and health seekers. Lastly, for effective soft drinks advertising, it is recommended that beverage marketers should use trendy components in promotions.

The study highlights the possibility of conducting social research by incorporating variables from experimental studies. By using this method, external validation is possible when the measures are applied in an uncontrived setting. In addition, it could provide a better assessment of consumers' needs for product innovation.

It is increasingly common these days for smoking to be banned either completely or in designated areas. On public transport, in restaurants and the cinema the unpleasant and uncomfortable effects of smoking are often no longer tolerated. These restrictions are, however, much less in evidence where people spend the bulk of their time — at their workplace. In most organisations it is recognised that a total ban would be heavy‐handed and potentially disruptive. Recent developments show, however, that non‐smokers are becoming increasingly assertive in their demands for smoking control. Facilities managers, with their colleagues in the personnel department, will have to respond so that the right of non‐smokers to a pollution‐free working environment can be reconciled with the needs of smokers to indulge their addiction.