Cultivating Sustainability Facility Management in Malaysian Higher Education Institutions: A Review on Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Practices

Abstract

This review examines the current practices of Operation and Maintenance in Malaysian Higher Education Institutions, emphasizing sustainability and efficiency of facility management. Despite the increasing adoption of technologies such Building Information Modelling, several technical, organizational, financial and environmental barriers hinder their full integration. Using systematic literature reviews (SLR) of recent studies, this research identifies emerging trends in Operation and Maintenance (O&M) practices in Malaysia, alongside challenges and actionable solutions. The findings underscore the transformative potential of integrating advanced technologies including Building Information Modelling (BIM) to revolutionize sustainability in campus operations. Key insights include the strategic importance of energy conservation measures (ECMs), predictive maintenance frameworks and multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) models in optimizing resources and reducing environmental footprints. This study uniquely advocates for a holistic integration, combining these technologies with tailored frameworks for Malaysian HEIs to address their distinct challenges. By advancing these innovative solutions, the research contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable facility management and positions Malaysian HEIs as potential leaders in sustainability and green campus initiatives.