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21 – 30 of over 99000
Article
Publication date: 23 October 2007

Johan Hendrik van Mossel and Ad Straub

This paper aims to provide a systematic connection between the special institutional environment of the Dutch social housing sector, public tasks for the social housing sector…

1284

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a systematic connection between the special institutional environment of the Dutch social housing sector, public tasks for the social housing sector, the organisational goals of housing associations, and their procurement strategy for technical management services.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on expert interviews, expert meetings and a literature review, a conceptual model is created that helps focusing the procurement of technical management services.

Findings

For social enterprises such as housing associations, just as all for‐profit enterprises, the determination of strategic organisational directions is essential for success. The literature review revealed few possible strategic focal points for housing associations: financial performances and social performances. The procurement of technical management can contribute shaping these performances. Making the right choices in the supplier selection, based on the strategic focal direction of housing associations, enables housing associations to improve organisational effectiveness.

Research limitations/implications

The research is directed towards the organisational goals of housing associations, while the procurement strategy of housing associations should also be based on the characteristics of the different items that are procured. Further detailed research is needed to decide on appropriate procurement strategies for different products and services purchased by housing associations.

Practical implications

Procurement strategy and in particular supplier selection and specification choices can be adapted to the specific situation of social enterprises, such as housing associations, and be connected to the strategic directions of the individual organisation.

Originality/value

This paper aims at narrowing this knowledge gap, for academics, purchasers and housing associations' general managers.

Details

Property Management, vol. 25 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-7472

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 December 2021

Hong Kok Wang, Gabriel Hoh Teck Ling and Xuerui Shi

To date, low-cost housing held under the common-property regime is faced with various collective action or management issues in relation to common facilities. Understanding and…

Abstract

Purpose

To date, low-cost housing held under the common-property regime is faced with various collective action or management issues in relation to common facilities. Understanding and unpacking key collective action components in a multi-dimensional and systematic fashion that help explain the status quo of the complex low-cost housing management is crucial, particularly in identifying potential factors contributing to the suboptimal self-governing outcome. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the collective action of low-cost housing in Malaysia using Ostrom's institutional analysis development and social-ecological system framework (IAD-SES framework) as a theoretical framework.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a mixed-method research design was adopted where issues relating to the management of common properties of low-cost housing were identified in the Malaysian context. Second, the components of Ostrom's IAD framework relevant to collective action were identified. Third, after interviewing six experts in the housing industry via semi-structured interviews, two more components (historical development/adaptability to new environment and ethnicity) were added to the questionnaire survey. From here, 633 respondents who lived in four low-cost housings in Kuala Lumpur from 1,598 households were surveyed in 2012. We then merged the IAD framework with the SES framework. Factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha analysis were conducted to uncover the underlying variables and the social ecological clusters that they belonged.

Findings

With average Cronbach's alpha of 0.83, the seven key SES components identified are able to cumulatively explain 71% variance of local collective action components. Based on the cumulative percentage explained, the top five key SES components are as follows: context (social, economic and political settings); ethnicity; outcome; resource system; and users characteristics.

Originality/value

This study identifies key components related to the collective action issues of low-cost housing management, where two additional components were also suggested to be added to the SES framework. Apart from the theoretical contribution, the study, serving as insights and potential solutions, is also of practical significance to the existing management practices of low-cost housing in Malaysia where policymakers and management corporations may prioritize primary SES components, helping them govern common properties more efficiently.

Details

Property Management, vol. 40 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-7472

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 October 2007

Terence Y.M. Lam

The purpose of this study is to investigate the actual impact of competition and management practices on performance quality of the outsourced professional housing maintenance…

1863

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the actual impact of competition and management practices on performance quality of the outsourced professional housing maintenance services in Hong Kong. Much of the literature is theoretically based and there is a knowledge gap in empirical confirmatory testing of the validity of performance quality theories.

Design/methodology/approach

It was hypothesized that there was positive correlation between output performance quality and input competition and management factors. A triangulation methodology was used to develop and test the correlation. The literature review and qualitative interviews with the maintenance consultancy management practitioners of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HKHA) were used to generate hypothesis, which was then tested by quantitative regression, using data from the maintenance consultancies of the Authority.

Findings

The main hypothesis was transformed into sub‐hypotheses which considered the relationships between service quality and individual input factors of competition level, past performance, project leadership and quality benchmarking. The results of the qualitative and quantitative studies confirmed and validated the hypotheses, and hence substantiated the main hypothesis that there is a significant correlation between performance quality and the relevant competition and management practices adopted in the outsourcing process of professional housing maintenance services.

Research limitations/implications

Whilst the correlation is validated in the context of professional housing maintenance services of the HKHA, it forms a conceptual baseline from which further research can build to provide a regression model in many other public and private sector settings, and for other housing services, including integrated housing maintenance and management professional services. Effective competition and management practices can then be identified to optimize performance quality.

Practical implications

This paper establishes the validity of the impact of quality practices which the housing or facility managers can apply to enhance the performance quality of outsourced professional housing maintenance services for the benefit of their organization and customers.

Originality/value

This study contributes to quality management of the outsourced professional housing services. Housing organizations can enhance the performance quality of their professional consultants by applying effective competition and management practices so that they can attain best service quality to satisfy the ever‐increasing tenant and owner expectations of value for money housing services from outsourcing.

Details

The TQM Magazine, vol. 19 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0954-478X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 August 2022

James Scott Vandeventer, Javier Lloveras and Gary Warnaby

The purpose of this paper is to conceptualise how place management practices in UK housing associations (HAs) involve processes of ecological place management.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conceptualise how place management practices in UK housing associations (HAs) involve processes of ecological place management.

Design/methodology/approach

Ethnographic fieldwork focusing on how communal spaces are organised on a housing estate in a UK city revealed the importance of negotiation with other actors, including an HA which is responsible for managing the estate. The authors draw on extensive participant observation with residents, as well as interviews with both residents and employees of the HA, to show the wider forces and complexities involved in these ecological place management practices.

Findings

This paper identifies hybrid socio-ecological, socio-political and political-economic dynamics unfolding as places are managed and organised. These widen the scope of place management research and practice to account for multiple ways places are organised.

Research limitations/implications

This paper offers a critical perspective on place management, developing an ecological approach that is applicable both to the relatively new context of housing and to more established sites in town and city centres.

Practical implications

This paper’s findings point to ways that housing and place management practitioners, both in the UK and elsewhere, can use an ecological approach to re-frame their strategic and practical actions with regards to “place”.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to unveiling the complexity involved in place management and organisation, thereby encouraging place managers to embrace ecological thinking capable of addressing future challenges.

Details

Journal of Place Management and Development, vol. 16 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8335

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 March 2018

Neema Kavishe, Ian Jefferson and Nicholas Chileshe

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to identify and rank the challenges influencing the delivery of the housing public-private partnership (HPPP) in Tanzania; and second…

1772

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to identify and rank the challenges influencing the delivery of the housing public-private partnership (HPPP) in Tanzania; and second, to suggest solutions in the form of a conceptual public-private partnership (PPP) framework model that will address the identified challenges and boost the chances of success.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a convergent parallel (concurrent) mixed method approach, data were collected from 28 stakeholders involved with HPPP projects in Tanzania using a hand-delivered and e-mail survey and 13 semi-structured interviews with public and private sector respondents. The quantitative data included subjecting the 19 challenges as identified from the literature to parametric tests such as one-sample t-tests and descriptive statistics tests such as measures of central tendencies and frequency analysis through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 22.0). Qualitative data employed content analysis. The research was further underpinned by a number of theoretical perspectives such as Gidden’s structuration theory, contingency theory, relational and equity theory.

Findings

The top five ranked challenges influencing the delivery of HPPP were “inadequate PPP skills and knowledge”; “poor contracting and tendering documents”; “inadequate project management”; “inadequate legal framework”; and “misinformation on financial capacity of private partners”. The least six ranked and most significant challenges based on the one-sample (single) t-tests were as follows: “Poor risk allocation”; “inexperienced private partner”; “unequal qualification and contributions of expertise”; “poor enabling environment to attract competent partners”; “inadequate mechanisms for recovery of private investors’ capital”; and “high costs in procuring PPP projects”. The qualitative study further confirmed the challenges and cited the reason for the failure of joint venture projects as the lack of motivation for undertaking similar PPP projects. Despite the increased awareness of PPP projects and associated marginal benefits, the main impediment to the uptake and delivery of PPP housing projects remained the lack of skills and expertise.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed framework model is not yet tested, but since this paper is part of the ongoing research, the next stage involves the testing and validation of the model. Future studies could test the applicability of the proposed framework in other HPPP projects in Tanzania, and in other similar developing countries. Second, the validated framework can contribute towards addressing similar challenges as well as providing guidance. The proposed framework model is not yet tested, but since this paper is part of the ongoing research, the next stage involves the testing and validation of the model. Furthermore, recommendation for future research is to test the alignment of the identified challenges to the proposed remedial solutions across the five phases within the proposed PPP framework with a number of case studies.

Practical implications

The identified challenges were used to form the basis of the framework presented in this paper. Furthermore, these provide useful information, thus leading to increased awareness to enable successful delivery of HPPP in Tanzania. Similarly, both the government and policy makers could use the findings as the basis for re-examining the existing PPP policy and regulations, and reflecting on the existing situation with a view to improving the delivery of future HPPP projects.

Originality/value

The empirical study is among the first that identifies and ranks the challenges of PPP for housing projects delivery within the Tanzanian context. The identification of the challenges enabled their ranking, resulting in the mapping out of the most critical challenges. Furthermore, using the Gidden’s structuration theory, the study illustrates how institution mechanisms (structures) address these delivery challenges, thus influencing the implementation of HPPP in Tanzania, and how individual stakeholders (human agents or agency) are able to make choices (advocated solutions) in dealing with the challenges. More so, these constraints (challenges) as identified and viewed through the contingency and equity theoretical lenses form the foundation for developing the PPP conceptual framework. The proposed framework would thus serve as a mechanism for providing practical solutions as well as reducing the level of severity of the identified challenges.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 25 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 November 1998

Roode Liias

As societies become aware that their future will be directed and shaped more and more by resource and environmental constraints, it is relevant for any country to carry out…

1367

Abstract

As societies become aware that their future will be directed and shaped more and more by resource and environmental constraints, it is relevant for any country to carry out critical appraisal of any resources potentially available and the key criteria when assessing this trend is “sustainability”. The resource that is physically existing today and which has to develop a healthy, secure and socially acceptable environment for the majority, is housing. Housing management is currently and will continue to be an important field for facilities management studies. This paper examines some of the main aspects of the management schemes currently in use in the housing sector in transition economies and the influence of these on the quality of the housing stock as a resource. The critical criterion when examining and proposing any of the alternative management schemes is the sustainable development of society.

Details

Facilities, vol. 16 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 October 2010

Gunnar Blomé

The purpose of this paper is to describe and evaluate three different models of how to organise services to tenants in municipal housing companies.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe and evaluate three different models of how to organise services to tenants in municipal housing companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical data used in this study are gathered from a detailed two‐year case study.

Findings

Three different functions are identified: customer service (e.g. reporting of faults); the letting process; and caretaking (day‐to‐day activities and control over in‐ and outdoor areas). The three models for local administration differ as to which functions are decentralised to a local group and which are centralised, and are evaluated from several different perspectives. The models where more decisions are decentralised leads to better information about the local conditions, makes it easier to coordinate work in an area, creates more motivation for the staff and makes it easier to involve the tenants. The main problem with the decentralised models is moral hazard problems, e.g. that the local team create their own agenda, are pressured by certain tenants to give them advantages and that the result is lack of control and an inconsistent policy in the company.

Research limitation/implications

The primary issue of the study is how housing companies can organise their resources in order to create an efficient local administration in large housing estates. Further research is needed to decide if the economic profitability differs between different organizational models in relation to tenants' perceived service quality.

Originality/value

The research identifies and analyses different organisation models for local administration in large housing estates more thoroughly than earlier research.

Details

Property Management, vol. 28 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-7472

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 4 August 2023

Christopher Amoah

In addressing the housing deficits for the less privileged citizens, the South African government began constructing social housing after coming to power in 1994. However, the…

Abstract

Purpose

In addressing the housing deficits for the less privileged citizens, the South African government began constructing social housing after coming to power in 1994. However, the construction of these houses is bedevilled with many issues; prominent among them are poor quality of the constructed houses. This study seeks to develop a quality management framework for achieving quality and efficiency in public-sector housing construction, a hallmark of the country's procurement goals.

Design/methodology/approach

Telephone interviews were conducted with construction professionals involved in constructing government social houses across South Africa, chosen randomly. The data gathered were analysed using the content analysis method.

Findings

The study found that the most significant cause of poor quality government-constructed social housing is multifaceted, categorised into project management-related, procurement-related, contractor-related, corruption-related and political-related.

Practical implications

Failure to develop and implement a quality management framework on government-constructed social housing leads to poor quality social housing.

Originality/value

The study has identified quality-related issues and has developed a Quality Management (QM) framework for the stakeholders involved in the construction of the houses to guide them in the project implementation process to ensure project success and quality standards.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. 41 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 September 2022

Miller Williams Appau, Elvis Attakora-Amaniampong and Ibrahim Yakubu

The diffusion of innovations in student housing, a commercial real estate subsector, is a critical concern to developers. Aside from how innovations contribute to investor'…

Abstract

Purpose

The diffusion of innovations in student housing, a commercial real estate subsector, is a critical concern to developers. Aside from how innovations contribute to investor' returns, there is a question of interest in real estate investment policies and contemporary real estate research. The study aims to assess the extent of innovation diffusion in student housing and its effects on investment returns in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a mixed methods approach foregrounded on the innovation diffusion theory. With the mix of surveys and interviews of 828 student housing managers/investors and 25 key student housing association leaders across selected off-campus student housing among six universities in Ghana, the study used both primary and secondary sources. Selection criteria were based on at least one of these criteria: Have operated in the student housing market over the past ten years, have adopted the use of technology in student housing management, have introduced new student housing marketing strategies and have made improvements (added value) to student housing services. Multiple regression and narratives were the main analytical tools employed in this study.

Findings

The study demonstrates that over the past ten years, student housing investors in Ghana have invested hugely in product, marketing, process and organisation innovations. Among these innovations, innovations by: marketing through souvenirs and annual-get-togethers product through Internet services processes through Information Management Systems (IMS), and organisation through student leadership were most utilised to descending extent. Furthermore, the study identified marketing and organisation innovation to have the highest effects on investment returns. However, process and product innovation showed a weak and moderate effect on investment returns because management hastily implemented these services without understanding the consequences it has on investment returns in the long run.

Practical implications

The moderate effect of product and process innovation on student housing investment can be a predictor for future student housing investment innovation strategies for new entrants as they do not provide an immediate positive investment return. Key takeaways require management to incrementally implement these innovations and adopt space management practices that create opportunities for future product and process innovations in Ghana. Investors should capitalise on marketing and organisational innovations as the best innovation strategies that yield the highest returns in Ghana.

Social implications

Student housing investors should focus on emerging student preferences such as entertainment, improved building services and Information Communication to stimulate student housing selection intentions.

Originality/value

Innovation diffusion in student housing is understudied. The closest connection of innovation diffusion theory to product enhancement, marketing and managerial improvement is a strategic tool that facilitates efficiency and productivity in student housing investment.

Details

Property Management, vol. 41 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-7472

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 September 2010

Azlan‐Shah Ali, Syahrul‐Nizam Kamaruzzaman, Raha Sulaiman and Yong Cheong Peng

It has been found that the cost for housing maintenance is relatively high due to poor maintenance practices. This paper aims to determine and identify the factors contributing to…

7981

Abstract

Purpose

It has been found that the cost for housing maintenance is relatively high due to poor maintenance practices. This paper aims to determine and identify the factors contributing to rising maintenance costs.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach was adopted that sought to gather factual data using the approach taken by El‐Haram and Horner. The research first identified the critical factors through a literature review. A total of Eighty questionnaires were then distributed to relevant respondents such as building managers or supervisors, maintenance management staff and others. In total, 31 completed questionnaires formed a database for descriptive and ranking analysis.

Findings

The research concluded that five of the most dominant factors were expectation of tenants, building materials, building services, building age and failure to execute maintenance at the right time. Meanwhile, it was found that two of the most influential impacts were outstanding maintenance charges and over‐budget.

Originality/value

Measures to minimise the housing maintenance cost were obtained, such as participation of tenants and residents in housing management works and allows their acceptance of a lower standard expectation.

Details

Journal of Facilities Management, vol. 8 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-5967

Keywords

21 – 30 of over 99000