Comparisons and lessons learned

Purpose: To create an overview and evaluation of the achievements of the contributions in this book by identifying, summarising and discussing cross-cutting themes and essential learning points across the former chapters. Methodology: Based on a purposeful reading of all chapters comparisons are made of the essential theoretical perspectives, conceptual models and findings from empirical research.

The most important novel aspects of the contributions are pinpointed. Findings: The three basic perspectives of FM, CREM and B2B marketing show to provide both overlapping and complementary focus areas. Comparisons of the added value parameters of four conceptual models from FM and CREM show many similarities and a trend towards convergence, but the basic structure of the models are different.

This can be related to CREM being oriented on development and management of new and existing buildings, while FM is more service and process oriented. Empirical research regarding the added value of FM is seen to utilise a broad range of both qualitative and quantitative methods in various combinations.

The contributions provide important new focus and insights on different types of added value, its dimensions and KPIs, and on areas like value adding management, performance management and performance measurement, stakeholder relationships and relationship management, green FM and sustainability. Furthermore various ideas came up for further improvement of the FM Value Map.

Practical implications: The advancement in new knowledge and understanding that this book provides offers a new state of the art which can give inspiration and guidance for cutting edge FM organisations and professionals as well as for advanced teaching and future research. Research limitations: The chapter is based on the contributions to this book and does not provide new empirical evidence.

Originality/value: The chapter provides an important overview and evaluation of the contributions in all the former chapters.