Examining issues influencing effective facilities management practice on selected public sector buildings in South Africa

Abstract

The facilities management (FM) industry has been confronted with a number of challenges and obstacles when it comes to the implementation of effective and efficient facilities management in public sector buildings. Thus, this study: investigates the current nature and extent of facilities management practice in public sector buildings; determines the technical roles of the facilities management team in the life cycle of public sector buildings; determines the competencies required for effective FM practices in public sector buildings; investigatesthe challengesinhibiting effective FM practice in public sector buildings, determines the drivers and enablers for effective FM practice in public sector buildings; and also recommends strategies for effective FM in public sector buildings in South Africa. The study utilized primary and secondary data. Primary data was obtained from the respondents through a questionnaire survey of 39 inspectors of the provincial Public Works department in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The questionnaire elicited information on issues influencing effective facilities management practices on selected public sector buildings. The secondary data was generated from literature from which the research instrument was developed. Data analysis was carried out using mean item score, percentage, factor analysis and T-test. The research findings indicated that most organizations were predominantly utilizing unplanned maintenance strategies and as such, involved repair work and corrective maintenance rather than predictive and preventive maintenance. The study also found insufficient funding, irregular, or fixed budgeting and the absence of a policy guideline for infrastructural development and maintenance of buildings as the major challenge affecting FM practices in the study area. The predominant drivers of FM practices are design of organizational structure, spirit of teamwork and sharing of FM knowledge and skills. The availability of policy/regulations supporting the maintenance of public buildings, availability of funds, hiring of better skilled professionals and an increase in the level of awareness of FM benefits were found to be enablers of FM practices. Based on these findings, the study recommends the need to employ a planned maintenance strategy in the day-to-day maintenance of public sector buildings. Furthermore, there is a need to have a policy in place that stands as a guideline for all work, strategies and processes for FM in public sector buildings. This study adds to the existing body of knowledge by providing useful information on factors that could enhance the effectiveness of facilities management in public sectors buildings in South Africa and beyond.