The doctoral dissertations of the former Helsinki University of Technology (TKK) and Aalto University Schools of Technology (CHEM, ELEC, ENG, SCI) published in electronic format are available in the electronic publications archive of Aalto University - Aaltodoc.
Aalto

Partnering Relations – Justification and Success Factors from Facilities Management Services Perspective

Tero Lehtonen

Dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Science in Technology to be presented with due permission of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering for public examination and debate in Auditorium R1 at Helsinki University of Technology (Espoo, Finland) on the 20th of October, 2006, at 12 o'clock noon.

Overview in PDF format (ISBN 951-22-8376-X)   [499 KB]
Dissertation is also available in print (ISBN 951-22-8375-1)

Abstract

There is an on-going transition towards more collaborative approaches (i.e., usage of partnering relations) in the procurement of facilities management (FM) services. However, sometimes partnering is used also in cases in which it is not the most appropriate choice. This may happen due to the fact that most organizations do not have adequate knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of different relationship approaches. In addition, confusion prevails about the nature of partnering relations as relationships and the manner in which they should be managed.

This study looks at issues surrounding the selection of relationship type and the management of partnering relations between a client and FM service providers, and integrates five scientifically reviewed research papers. The objectives of the study are to find out in which situations partnering approach is chosen and to identify the factors rendering a partnering relation a success. Furthermore, reasons for the dissolution of earlier relationships are identified.

The empirical part of the study consists of two phases. The first phase is qualitative one, and the data are collected by semi-structured and focus group interviews. It aims towards deeper understanding of the selection criteria of relationship type, the differences between alternative relationship types in FM services, and partnering success factors. Although the focus is on the client's perspective, the representatives of service providers are also interviewed in order to achieve greater wealth of information. In order to confirm the findings of the first phase and, furthermore, to recognize the procurement trends of FM services, a survey is carried out as a second part of the empirical study. The data are collected using an internet-based questionnaire provided by client companies.

The results provide understanding of partnering phenomenon in the FM services context and suggest new insights on when to choose partnering approach and how to manage partnering relations successfully. The results indicate that companies should adopt a more strategic approach towards sourcing decisions in relation to FM services. Furthermore, in order to ensure the partnering success, precise goal setting with organized forms of cooperation and interaction is needed.

This thesis consists of an overview and of the following 5 publications:

  1. Salonen, A., Lehtonen, T., and Ventovuori, T. (2005), A review and classification of empirical research in facilities management, in Proceedings of the 4th European Research Symposium in Facilities Management, pp. 477-485.
  2. Lehtonen, T. and Ventovuori, T. (2006), The nature of inter-organizational relationships in FM services, in Proceedings of the 5th European Research Symposium in Facilities Management, pp. 443-455.
  3. Lehtonen, T. (2004), Attributes and success factors of partnering relations – a theoretical framework for facility services, Nordic Journal of Surveying and Real Estate Research – Special Series, Vol. 2, pp. 31-46.
  4. Lehtonen, T. (2006), Collaborative relationships in facility services, Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 27, No. 6, pp. 449-464.
  5. Lehtonen, T. and Salonen, A. (2006), An empirical investigation of procurement trends and partnership management in FM services – A Finnish survey, International Journal of Strategic Property Management, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 65-78.

Keywords: service procurement, inter-organizational relationships, partnering, facilities management services

This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.

© 2006 Helsinki University of Technology

Last update 2011-05-26