Exploring challenges and drivers of facilities management outsourcing in Sri Lanka

Abstract

There has been a growing trend of organisations adopting a sourcing strategy that increases their competitive advantages through improving the performance of their facilities management (FM) services. Facilities Management Outsourcing (FMO) is a management strategy whereby FM services are contracted to one or more external providers with the aim of improving organisational efficiency and effectiveness. However, this kind of contract procurement is yet to acquire its full potential in Sri Lanka and thus, it is vital to unfold its current status and make suggestions for enhancement. Therefore, a study was conducted to investigate the existing FMO challenges, drivers and the strategies to overcome those challenges in Sri Lanka. Initially, a literature review was made on FM services sourcing strategies, challenges and drivers of FMO. Then a qualitative approach was taken to carry out semi-structured interviews with six FM experts in the industry. The data captured was structured and analysed by using a manual content analysis method. Fourteen challenges and eleven drivers were revealed as significant to FMO. The results of this research, which contribute to the understanding on FMO, serve as a cornerstone upon which further studies can be pursued in the context of FM in Sri Lanka and countries in a similar state of FM development.