Improving facilities managers through reflective practice education

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Bull, M. ORCID: 0000-0002-7443-4026, 2015. Improving facilities managers through reflective practice education. In: K. Alexander and I. Price, eds., EuroFM research papers. Advancing knowledge in FM. People make facilities management. Research papers advancing knowledge in facilities management . Schiphol-Rijk, Netherlands: European Facilities Management Network (EuroFM) as the International Journal of Facilities Management.

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Abstract

Purpose: This paper reviews the use of reflective practice education in facilities management (FM) and the impact this can have on decision making and innovation in the workplace. The two main drivers for the research were to understand how reflective practice was used by facilities managers and to comprehend whether reflective practice had benefitted individuals professionally.

Design/methodology/approach: The results came from a hermeneutic study exploring the use of reflective practice in FM. This study engaged practitioners who had all completed a part time undergraduate certificate in FM, delivered via block study and distance learning. The research was carried out using unstructured interviews, and emailed questions.

Findings: The research evidenced that there are benefits to facilities managers being more reflective in their working practice and facilities managers need encouragement to become reflective practitioners and to contribute to the wider organisation through improved service and innovation.

Research limitations/implications: One of the potential limitations was that the research was carried out with a small section of professional FM students from one university, and has not focused on FMs that have not been engaged in further education; although this was a qualitative piece of work and not aimed at generalisation.

Practical implications: The implications of the research are that professional bodies need to consider how they engage and encourage the concept of the reflective facilities manager.

Originality/value: There is a dearth of research in relation to reflective practice education in the context of FM and this provides new insights into how this impacts on the profession.

Item Type:

Chapter in book

Description:

Paper presented at the EURO FM Research Symposium 2015, European Facility Management Network, Glasgow, 1-3 June 2015.

Creators:

Bull, M.

Publisher:

European Facilities Management Network (EuroFM) as the International Journal of Facilities Management

Place of Publication:

Schiphol-Rijk, Netherlands

Date:

27 April 2015