Riley, M (2013) Developing a model for the application of post-occupancy evaluation (POE) as a facilities performance enhancement tool in the higher education sector. Doctoral thesis, Liverpool John Moores University.

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Abstract

Post-occupancy evaluation provides a mechanism for systematically evaluating facilities performance. However, the effectiveness of existing models within HE is subject to question with few institutions fully embracing its application. The research sought to establish the extent to which POE models are utilised and the degree to which they satisfy the needs of HE in England and Wales. The outcome of the work was to propose a POE model that addresses the needs of Higher Education institutions. The research found that development of POE models has been driven by numerous factors resulting in creation of sophisticated POE frame-works. However the extent to which they are considered effective is limited. Earlier work focuses on the identification of factors that influence user satisfaction and development of complex quantitative models. Users of such models seek to learn lessons from projects to improve the design and delivery of facilities and enhance their performance in use. However, the extent to which existing POE models facilitate this is subject to question. The study adopted a mixed methods approach to establish whether existing models reflected the factors influencing user satisfaction in the specific context of HE. It revealed that physical and internal environmental factors influenced user satisfaction in varying patterns with varying results in differing situations. The perception of quality consistently correlated with users' overall perceptions of satisfaction with buildings. The term 'quality' is a made up of several discrete factors; further work could be developed to allow these to be fully defined. The research concluded that a single POE model would be inappropriate and a frame-work is proposed based on a balanced scorecard, reflecting four performance dimensions tailored to the context of HE and allowing linkage of POE to strategic institutional plans. The project liberated contribution to theoretical knowledge and professional practice. It established that within HE the concept of a consistent set of factors correlating with overall satisfaction is flawed. It went further to identify the construct of 'quality' as a key factor influencing satisfaction and established user satisfaction is a construct that is time related. It also found that application of POE is inconsistent across the HE sector in terms of purpose and extent of connectivity to institutional objectives. These findings indicated that adoption of a standardised POE model within HE is unlikely to liberate consistent, useful data to enhance building and facilities performance. The adoption of the proposed approach offers a vehicle cost effective development of tailored POE solutions.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management L Education > L Education (General)
Divisions:	Civil Engineering & Built Environment
Date Deposited:	04 Apr 2017 10:26
Last Modified:	03 Sep 2021 23:31
DOI or ID number:	10.24377/LJMU.t.00006192
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/6192

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