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Article
Publication date: 12 November 2018

Gopikrishnan S. and Virendra Kumar Paul

The purpose of this paper is to identify and validate user requirement related building performance attributes and sub attributes for performance evaluation of government…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and validate user requirement related building performance attributes and sub attributes for performance evaluation of government residential buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

User requirements in a building were listed from ISO 6241-1984 (E). Seven building performance attributes were identified through literature review and linked with the user requirements. Three more attributes not directly related to building performance but that could influence user satisfaction were also identified. The attributes were grouped into physical, environmental and external factors to suit the intervention strategies proposed to be implemented by maintenance agencies to enhance user satisfaction. The need for amplifying the attributes for better comprehension by occupants was felt; hence, characteristics of each of these attributes were listed based on literature survey and review. In total, 42 such sub attributes were identified to amplify ten attributes. To validate the adequacy of these attributes, an online survey was launched to garner feedback on first adequacy of the attributes and secondly to confirm whether there is a necessity for amplification of attributes for better comprehension by occupants. In total, 200 responses were received through the online survey, and the data received were categorized as per gender, location, sector, profession and finally civilian/military.

Findings

The outcome of the survey revealed that 84% of the participants felt that the attributes were adequate enough to assess building performance and 75% of them agreed that amplification of attributes through sub attributes as essential for better comprehension and to avoid ambiguity in response. Also the seven identified attributes were ranked from 1 to 7 with 1 being the most important. Weights of each attribute in the scale of 1 were also arrived at based on the responses. Similar exercise was carried out for all sub attributes.

Research limitations/implications

Present research is confined to government residential buildings that are constructed and maintained through public funds and hence individual occupants are not constrained by economics. Other type of building infrastructure used for training, sports, storage, medical, etc., will have certain more specific performance parameters in addition to the ones identified in this paper for residential buildings. Economics also become a factor from users' perspective in case of private residential buildings which does not form part of the scope of this paper. However, as a future scope, the number of attributes can be escalated depending upon the type of building being surveyed, keeping the identified attributes as core attributes.

Practical implications

This paper links the end user satisfaction with building performance and the outcome of surveys will provide useful insights to the behaviour of buildings as well the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing maintenance management systems. Survey based on these attributes and sub attributes will enable the facility managers to ascertain the satisfaction level of occupants with respect to building performance, satisfaction with respect to external factors such as accessibility, amenities and societal issues other than building performance. It will enable the facility managers and decision makers to prioritize their maintenance according to importance, availability of funds, etc. It will also provide a data bank over the years that can indicate the changing aspirations of occupants of government residential buildings. This will enable policymakers to review specifications, authorizations and scales.

Originality/value

This paper links user requirement with building performance. ISO 6241-1984(E) forms the basis for user requirement. Survey based on these user requirement related building performance attributes shall enable facility managers prioritize their maintenance efforts in management of facilities.

Details

Facilities, vol. 36 no. 13/14
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 March 2019

Gopikrishnan S. and Virendra Kumar

The purpose of this study is to develop a user-centric facility maintenance model through user satisfaction index linked intervention strategies for public housing.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a user-centric facility maintenance model through user satisfaction index linked intervention strategies for public housing.

Design/methodology/approach

User requirements are standardized by ISO 6241-1984(E), building performance attributes (BPAs) influencing those user requirements are identified. Selected BPAs are amplified as sub attributes characterizing BPAs. Grouping of BPAs are done to suit established hierarchy of government facility maintenance (FM) agencies. Post validation of BPAs/sub attributes for adequacy, they are ranked and weights assigned through expert survey. Questionnaire designed to garner user feedback based on BPAs and sub attributes to develop a user satisfaction index (USI) that can enable quantification of user feedback. A theoretical framework for interventions is designed which can be enmeshed in existing hierarchy of FM agencies.

Findings

84 per cent of expert survey group comprising architects/planners/engineers/facility managers/consultants agreed on adequacy of attributes and 78 per cent endorsed necessity for amplification of BPAs through sub attributes. USI shall facilitate comparison of pre- and post-implementation of interventions. A theoretical framework for FM agencies is developed for interventions.

Research limitations/implications

The FM model presently is limited to application only in public housing. For wider application to other built facilities, choice of BPAs need to made accordingly. As the implementation of interventions and its comparison is likely to take at least a financial year, the theoretical framework can be validated subsequently as a future scope of research.

Practical implications

The biggest implication of this FM model is that the most important stakeholder, that is, end user/occupant gets to register feedback on building performance. This model establishes accountability of government FM agencies and also validates the methods and processes adopted for maintenance of built facilities.

Social implications

A section of the feedback comprises issues not directly related building envelope but societal issues. This feedback in the long run can become a repertoire of data for administrative agencies to map changing aspirations of government employees with respect to authorization/entitlements.

Originality/value

Quantification of user satisfaction is an inevitable necessity in spite of being a qualitative aspect. This study makes a unique attempt to provide a framework to establish accountability of government FM agencies which is presently non-existent.

Book part
Publication date: 1 February 2024

Demet Güner and Emel Çirişoğlu

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a cloud system that saves energy by being involved in the decision-making process of machines. By this means, machines create an environment of…

Abstract

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a cloud system that saves energy by being involved in the decision-making process of machines. By this means, machines create an environment of direct interaction without the need for explicit instructions. In this chapter, answers have been sought to the questions of what kind of research has been done on IoT-based technological devices, and how IoT-based technologies are effective in sustainable food production. The systematic literature review examined the scientific research on IoT and Food in the range of 2010–2022 in Scopus. The general framework of the research has been carried out in the context of 6Ws (who, when, where, what, why, and how), which is one of the systematic literature reviews. The results obtained have been analyzed and interpreted in the MAXQDA 2020 qualitative data analysis program. In the findings obtained, it has been determined that IoT and food have gained importance worldwide, especially in England, India, and China. Furthermore, it has been determined that most of the studies on IoT are based on case studies, and all the articles examined are collected in three main focus points. Subcodes have been created under the main codes ‘Food Supply Chain, Smart and Sustainable Agriculture ve Waste Management’, and problem points have been tried to be customized.

Article
Publication date: 10 June 2019

Liqun Xiang, Ann T.W. Yu, Yongtao Tan, Xuezhu Shan and QiPing Shen

This study aims to identify senior citizens’ requirements related to “embedded retirement facilities (ERFs)”, which are small-scale, multi-functional and community-based care…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to identify senior citizens’ requirements related to “embedded retirement facilities (ERFs)”, which are small-scale, multi-functional and community-based care facilities for senior citizens in mainland China, and to discuss whether senior citizens’ perceptions are influenced by their backgrounds.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire type of research was administrated to gain senior citizens’ rankings of services that should be provided by ERFs. Non-parametric statistical models were applied to analyse the collected data.

Findings

Results reveal that health care services for senior citizens are considered the most important. Requirements regarding rehabilitation and entertainment and daily life assistance are ranked second and third, respectively. Culture-related activities are the least important. Differences in the senior citizens’ background also influence their choices.

Research limitations/implications

This research is based on a questionnaire survey completed in northeast China. Opinions from other areas of mainland China will be collected in the future study. Furthermore, the key items identified in this research, which was completed by participants from the built environment discipline, can be further elaborated by combining interdisciplinary feedback.

Practical implications

This study explores services that are supposedly provided by ERFs. Findings will provide useful perceptions from senior citizens and will enable decision makers to prioritise services for senior citizens.

Social implications

Although senior citizens are the end users of ERFs, their needs are easily overlooked. This study calls attention to their needs from ERFs, and the results are likely to serve as references for stakeholders in building improved facilities.

Originality/value

ERFs have been provided in mainland China to cater to senior citizens’ needs since 2014. However, few studies have identified senior citizens’ requirements for provided services. The survey-based results of this work will serve as references for various stakeholders in making enhanced decisions.

Details

Facilities , vol. 38 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 July 2023

Meenal Kumar and Smita Khan

This study attempts to conduct a post-occupancy assessment of the primary technical, functional and behavioral features in a student housing facility at the Visvesvaraya National…

Abstract

Purpose

This study attempts to conduct a post-occupancy assessment of the primary technical, functional and behavioral features in a student housing facility at the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology campus in Nagpur, India to see if the students are satisfied with the residential hostel's environs and facilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study reviews knowledge areas pertinent to the technical, functional and behavioral performance of student housing facilities by looking at the body of accessible literature. Even though the literature review gave a thorough overview of the broad issues, it was essential to learn about the situation as it is and addresses the specific issues brought up to undertake a thorough evaluation, just as every in-depth study depends on a reliable methodology. Therefore, a methodology appropriate for the research was developed, which helped in identifying relevant attributes for the questionnaire to be used for the survey. This aided in analyzing the building's performance evaluation through the sole users of the hostel which are the students. The survey data is analyzed by statical methods using SPSS software to identify the key determinants of satisfaction in students' residential hostels and if these are affected by the gender of the students.

Findings

The survey results were examined to determine the level of satisfaction with the selected performance aspects, and the major determinants governing it. The findings concluded that most of the technical and functional determinants of satisfaction in hostels are identified the same by both genders, except for some of the attributes in behavioral elements. The research looked at how well key success elements in the student housing facility had been implemented.

Research limitations/implications

Research is carried out in CFTI only wherein architecture is one of the branches.

Originality/value

Planning professionals, architects, housing managers and facility managers involved in the design, construction and management of student housing facilities might benefit from feedback from a post-occupancy evaluation. The post-occupancy study can therefore aid in continually enhancing the standard and effectiveness of the facilities for planning, constructing, managing and maintaining student residential housing.

Details

Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2631-6862

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 May 2022

Meenal Kumar and Smita Khan

Environmental behavior research has shown that environmental characteristics may have a big impact on people's behavior. This paper is part of a doctoral dissertation on…

Abstract

Purpose

Environmental behavior research has shown that environmental characteristics may have a big impact on people's behavior. This paper is part of a doctoral dissertation on evaluating the building performance of residential hostels in Centrally Funded Technical Institutes (CFTI) in India, an appropriate methodology was developed using the relevant attributes of environmental behavioral research to conduct post-occupancy evaluation (POE) for a pilot survey that identified unique ground conditions. The approach aids in comprehending the state of residential surroundings from the perspective of students, and the conclusion will allow the ongoing research to inquire about and suggest parameters for a student-friendly and inclusive residential hostel design in India, through its primary user, the students. The study aims to employs POE as a significant research method.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodological approach includes literature review (building performance evaluation/EBS); ground scenario in India; ground investigations outcome of ground scenario and investigations to frame further research processes; and discussions and conclusions.

Findings

Development of a methodology for studying residential environments in the CFTI in identifying variables in the Indian context and developing requisite tools for POE. The methodology also aids in communication between stakeholders and creates mechanisms for quality monitoring, providing knowledge when buildings fail to meet design intent and providing data and knowledge for future designs and key decisions. It will assist in the development of design and planning guidelines with respect to residential hostels in the Indian scenario.

Research limitations/implications

Research work is carried out only in CFTI in India where Architecture is one of the branches.

Practical implications

Development of a methodology for studying residential environments in the CFTI in identifying variables in the Indian context and developing requisite tools for POE. The methodology also aids in communication between stakeholders and creates mechanisms for quality monitoring, providing knowledge when buildings fail to meet design intent and providing data and knowledge for future designs and key decisions. It will assist in the development of design and planning guidelines with respect to residential hostels in the Indian scenario.

Social implications

This study identifies the specific difficulties and determined the research direction in this situation. It emphasized the need of paying attention to students' perceptions and contentment in residential hostels as a neglected component of Indian residential hostels that needs to be addressed. It aided in the creation of a bespoke research technique. The evaluation process of the main users of residential hostels on campuses is largely impacted by their cultural background and level of environmental awareness of their built environment. The survey also revealed the level of environmental awareness among hostel students in particular and Indian society in general. Finally, this study underlines the importance of rethinking the design and development of residential environments on campuses, particularly from the perspective of student welcoming.

Originality/value

The paper is a part of ongoing research in VNIT, Nagpur, India.

Details

Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, vol. 17 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2631-6862

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 July 2020

Chaiwat Riratanaphong and Sorawis Limjaroensuk

Feedback from condominium occupants on multi-generational condominium facility services makes it possible to identify areas in need of improvement and development concerning…

Abstract

Purpose

Feedback from condominium occupants on multi-generational condominium facility services makes it possible to identify areas in need of improvement and development concerning facilities management in this residential project type. This paper aims to examine behaviours, needs, preferences and patterns of space use in condominium occupants from three different age groups (under 30, 30 to 50 and over 50 years old) relative to their satisfaction with facility services. The paper examines the impact of the physical environment and facility service arrangement (i.e. cleaning and security) on occupant satisfaction in the common areas of six multi-generational condominiums and investigates whether occupant satisfaction varies between the three age groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Six case studies classified as multi-generational condominiums were conducted. Research methods included document analysis, field surveys, interviews with juristic person managers and surveys from condominium occupants regarding their satisfaction with cleaning and security services in the common areas. The findings were then applied one-way ANOVA to test occupant satisfaction mean differences between age groups.

Findings

The findings indicate that physical environment characteristics including the location, size, number and design attributes of common areas have an impact on the provision of facility services and may influence occupant satisfaction. In terms of the facility service arrangement, both the service method and the ratio of staff to areas of responsibility can be explained in connection to functional and technical quality, respectively. Occupants’ demands and behaviours, such as the strong requirement for privacy, the preference towards service staff accessibility and the frequency of space usage, contribute to different levels of occupant satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

More case studies in Thailand and also in other countries, based on surveys with large samples of respondents, are required to increase the validity and to establish whether it is possible to generalise the study’s findings.

Practical implications

The findings and reflections upon them help understand the impact of physical environment characteristics and the provision of facility services on occupant satisfaction in various age groups. Recommendations are provided concerning building design and the provision of facility services in connection to perceived service quality and occupant satisfaction in multi-generational condominiums in Thailand that can apply to other types of real estate projects where similar facility services are offered.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to research on occupant satisfaction with facility services and provides evidence on occupants’ feedback in different types of perceived service quality (i.e. technical and functional quality). Identifying the impact of physical environment characteristics, facility service arrangements and occupant behaviours on occupant satisfaction with the technical and functional aspects of facility services contributes to the body of research on facilities management.

Article
Publication date: 12 October 2012

Hong‐lin Yang, Shou Chen and Yan Yang

The purpose of this paper is to reveal the multi‐scale relation between power law distribution and correlation of stock returns and to figure out the determinants underlying…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reveal the multi‐scale relation between power law distribution and correlation of stock returns and to figure out the determinants underlying capital markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The multi‐scale relation between power law distribution and correlation is investigated by comparing the original series with the special series. The eliminating intraday trend series approach developed by Liu et al. is utilized to analyze the effects of power law decay change on correlation properties, and shuffling series originated by Viswanathan et al. for the impacts of special type of correlation on power‐law distribution.

Findings

It is found that the accelerating decay of power law has an insignificant effect on correlation properties of returns and the empirical results indicate that time scale may also be an important factor maintaining power law property of returns besides correlation. When time scale is under critical point, the effects of correlation are crucial, and the correlation of nonlinear long‐range presents the strongest influence. However, for time scale beyond critical point, the impact of correlation begins to diminish or even finally disappear and then the power law property shows complete dependence on time scale.

Research limitations/implications

The 5‐min high frequency data of the Shanghai market as the empirical benchmark is insufficient to depict the relation over the entire time scale in the Chinese stock market.

Practical implications

The paper identifies the determinants of market dynamics to apply them to risk management through analysis of multi‐scale relations, and supports endeavors to introduce time parameter into further risk measures and control.

Originality/value

The paper provides the empirical evidence that time scale is one of the key determinants of market dynamics by analyzing the multi‐scale relation between power law distribution and correlation.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 41 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Understanding Financial Risk Management, Second Edition
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78973-794-3

Article
Publication date: 4 September 2017

Gopikrishnan Seshadhri and Virendra Kumar Paul

Present research on assessing performance of residential buildings is done for specific purposes and not holistically. The indicators, factors and attributes considered for…

Abstract

Purpose

Present research on assessing performance of residential buildings is done for specific purposes and not holistically. The indicators, factors and attributes considered for evaluation are not consistent and are broadly based on knowledge base of the author. The purpose of this research is to identify building performance attributes based on user requirement.

Design/methodology/approach

With ISO 6241-1984(E) as a basis for universal acceptance, user requirements have been listed and based on these user requirements, related building performance attributes have been identified. End-user satisfaction is of primary importance to gauge performance of a facility. A quantified approach in evaluation of performance of a facility will enable a facility manager to assess the efficacy of the present policies pertaining to operation and maintenance of the facility. It will also provide valuable inputs to policy makers in initiating measures toward the goal of achieving desired user satisfaction. Performance measurement is done to measure the value created by the services, to justify the investment made in creating the facility or to determine if any additional investments are required for improvement of the facility.

Findings

In this literature review, an attempt is made to identify user requirements based on an internationally renowned standard ISO 6241-1984 (E), as a base and group building performance attributes on these requirements. The identified attributes are grouped into physical, environmental and external factors for ease of garnering user satisfaction and subsequent flexibility in assessment of data based on requirement of the surveys carried out for evaluation.

Research limitations/implications

The identified list of user requirement-related building performance attributes is limited to government residential buildings. The research needs validation through a full-fledged user satisfaction survey.

Practical implications

It provides a comprehensive list of attributes for assessing performance from physical, environmental and external factors, enabling wholesome assessment of the performance of buildings. Moreover, as a universally accepted document ISO 6241-1984 (E), forms the basis of the paper, its application is not limited to a region.

Originality/value

Lot of research is happening in the field of assessing building performance. User satisfaction by virtue of being difficult to quantify, it has not found much favor till now. This attempt is to furnish a comprehensive list of building performance attributes that will enable a multipurpose survey which will not be based on perception of the researcher but on a universally accepted document. The premise of research is that end-user satisfaction is of primary importance to gauge performance of a facility.

Details

Journal of Facilities Management, vol. 15 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-5967

Keywords

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