Social and physical value creation in Norwegian organisations

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigates how Real Estate (RE) and Facilities Management (FM) contribute to value creation and enhance people and business in different categories of Norwegian organisations. The two research questions are: first, what in early phase planning of RE projects and FM creates social and physical value for owners and users of buildings? Second, do respondents in private enterprises, public administrations and hybrid organisations have different opinions concerning what creates social and physical value for owners and users of buildings, and how? Design/methodology/approach: This study is based on a national survey (N=837) among Norwegian owners and users of buildings. The data have been analysed through descriptive statistics, ranking of the means and one-way ANOVA. Findings: Many owners and users of buildings have a short-term financial focus and seem to overlook recent research concerning value creation. This study has identified some interesting organisation-specific differences concerning how RE and FM provide social and physical value for owners and users of buildings. Practical implications: Research provides guidelines concerning how RE and FM can create value for owners and users of buildings in private enterprises, public administrations and hybrid organisations. Originality/value: This is an empirical study with a significant number of respondents. Further empirical research is needed to establish whether it is possible to generalise the Norwegian results.