Purpose This study aims to map global research trends in aged care facilities management (ACFM) and identify thematic gaps to inform future practice and policy. Design/methodology/approach A scoping review and bibliometric analysis were conducted using the Scopus database, extracting 454 peer-reviewed articles (1980–2024) from 173 journals. The review followed preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines, while VOSviewer and Biblioshiny were applied to analyse co-authorship, co-citation, keyword networks and thematic evolution. Findings Three thematic clusters dominate the field: assistive technologies for digital health monitoring, safety and autonomy; integrated care systems embedded in physical environments to deliver person-centred services; and community-based infrastructures that support ageing-in-place. Despite growth in publications, gaps remain in linking facilities management with sociotechnical and gerontological perspectives, limiting integration of digital innovations and interdisciplinary frameworks. Practical implications The findings highlight actionable strategies for policymakers, designers and facility managers to integrate technology, spatial design and community services, enabling more inclusive and resilient aged care environments. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first combined scoping review and bibliometric analysis of ACFM. It positions facilities management (FM) as a critical driver in addressing ageing challenges and advancing inclusive, technology-enabled care.
Purpose This study aims to assess the sustainability level of facilities management supply chains (FMSCs) within the Sri Lankan apparel manufacturing industry. This paper seeks to identify the detailed functions of facilities management (FM), pinpoint the sustainability considerations affecting FMSCs and assess the current and required sustainability levels. This study also explores the potential contributions of FM professionals to the broader sustainability agenda within this apparel manufacturing industry. Design/methodology/approach To achieve these objectives, a quantitative approach was used. Initially, an expert survey strategy was conducted involving five experienced professionals from the apparel manufacturing sector. This survey validated literature findings and identified the required level of sustainability practices within FMSCs. Subsequently, a detailed matrix questionnaire survey was administered to 40 FM and sustainability professionals within the same sector. This survey assessed current sustainability practices within FMSCs across sustainability dimensions. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistical methods, emphasising mode and matrix analysis, in SPSS and Excel. Findings This research identified and validated 35 detailed activities within major FM functions and 17 sustainability consideration factors. Critical attributes necessitating enhanced sustainability considerations were identified by comparing the required and current levels of sustainability. In all, 9 detailed FM activities and 11 sustainability factors were deemed most critical and required immediate attention. Notably, this study highlighted the significance of social sustainability, indicating the need to prioritise this dimension to achieve sustainability within FMSCs in the Sri Lankan apparel manufacturing industry. Originality/value It introduces a practical model for assessing the sustainability of FMSCs that can serve as a decision-making tool. Additionally, it emphasises the pivotal role of FM professionals in promoting sustainability within the supply chain and highlights their potential contributions. This pioneering study is the first to explore the sustainability level within FMSCs in the Sri Lankan apparel manufacturing industry. This study’s originality lies in its specific focus on the Sri Lankan apparel manufacturing sector, offering insights that can be valuable to similar industries in emerging nations sharing comparable characteristics.
Purpose This study aims to examine best practices in facilities management (FM) service operations to address business interruptions by adapting workplace strategies, particularly within small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Specifically, it identifies effective adaptation practices, examines the challenges and barriers to implementation and proposes a framework to strengthen workplace resilience and business continuity. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was conducted with SMEs, yielding 390 valid responses. The data were analysed using descriptive and ranking analyses to identify FM adaptation practices and the key organisational challenges and barriers to sustaining workplace operations during business interruptions. Findings Results show six effective FM adaptation practices include aligning workplace strategies with organisational vision and culture, driving team performance, optimising space, reducing costs, prioritising employee well-being and embedding sustainability. The challenges include ensuring employee safety, sanitation and financial stability, while barriers involve shortages of digital talent, new hygiene requirements and compliance with preventive measures. Practical implications The proposed framework provides SMEs and FM practitioners with a structured decision-making tool to align workplace adaptation strategies with organisational challenges, thereby strengthening resilience and business continuity during future disruptions. Crucially, the study demonstrates that effective workplace adaptation requires shifting from isolated crisis fixes to a synchronised approach that balances physical spatial changes with staff readiness. Social implications FM adaptations can safeguard health, support employee morale and foster safer, sustainable workplaces, contributing to community resilience. Effective FM adaptation can protect employee health and well-being, foster safer and more sustainable workplaces and contribute to broader organisational and community resilience. Originality/value Unlike general studies on business transitions, this research uniquely emphasises FM service operations, offering novel insights into workplace adaptation as a driver of organisational agility and survivability.
Purpose The purpose of this study is to propose a decision-support framework for building maintenance prioritization in higher education institutions (HEIs) aimed at assisting facility managers in decision-making regarding maintenance interventions. Design/methodology/approach The research method was based on the Design Science Research approach, structured in three phases: development of the Framework; application of the Framework in two buildings; and validation of the Framework. The Framework is structured into four stages: Planning, Investigation (including user questionnaires, document audits and building inspections), Prioritization and Technical Results Document. Findings The Framework application proved practical in producing results for the facility manager, using the GUT+R (gravity, urgency, tendency and recurrence) prioritization matrix. The validation was successful. Practical implications This study offered a decision-support framework for building maintenance prioritization, integrating user perception assessment, document auditing and a GUT+R prioritization matrix to support facility managers in resource-constrained HEIs, potentially enabling strategic maintenance decision-making and improving built environment quality. Originality/value This research introduces an innovative decision-support framework for building maintenance prioritization in HEIs, combining technical tools and human perception for enhanced decision-making. Key features include user-perception assessment methodology, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for external inspections and an improved GUT prioritization matrix with a recurrence criterion.
Purpose The adoption of adaptive reuse practices in the construction industry is increasingly recognized as a sustainable approach to addressing urban development challenges. However, despite its potential, the uptake of adaptive reuse remains limited due to various barriers. This study aims to identify the key strategies that can enhance the adoption of adaptive reuse practices in the construction industry and explore how these strategies are perceived by industry stakeholders, including developers, policymakers and construction professionals. Design/methodology/approach This is a mixed-methods study conducted between January and September 2025. The research began with a literature review, followed by a structured survey of construction professionals. A convenience sampling method was used to distribute questionnaires, resulting in 187 valid responses. To strengthen validity, postsurvey expert interviews were conducted and analyzed using content analysis. Findings The findings indicate that promoting the circular economy, focusing on organizational management and incorporating energy efficiency are among the most effective strategies for promoting adaptive reuse. The qualitative insights further reinforce the feasibility of these strategies and highlight context-specific considerations relevant to policy and practice. Practical implications Findings from this study provide valuable insights into effective strategies for overcoming the barriers to adaptive reuse adoption in the construction industry. These strategies can inform the development of policies, incentives and practices that encourage the widespread adoption of adaptive reuse, promoting more sustainable urban development. Additionally, the study offers evidence-based guidance that can support revisions to professional standards, training frameworks and urban regeneration programs. Originality/value This study contributes to adaptive reuse research by developing an empirically grounded and context-specific strategic framework for advancing adaptive reuse adoption in Nigeria’s construction industry. While previous studies have largely focused on identifying barriers to adaptive reuse or have concentrated on developed-country contexts, this study specifically identifies, categorizes and validates implementation strategies suited to the institutional, economic and professional realities of a developing economy. The novelty of the study lies primarily in its strategy-oriented framework, which links practical interventions to previously identified barriers and organizes them into thematic clusters that can guide policy and industry practice.
