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The application of radio frequency identification technology in facility management

Wireless technology nowadays is developing rapidly throughout the world and also in Hong Kong. The Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is a mature technology which has been applied in a lot of industries in recent years, such as retail, airline, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, logistics, and libraries etc. RFID technology acts as an electronic labelling and data-collection system to identify and track equipment. RFID is a more robust technology than bar coding and does not require line-of-sight to operate.

It is able to provide not only the electronic data for unique identification, but also provides a paperless workflow automation solution. The application of palm and wireless technology using the RFID in conjunction with a Web Based Maintenance Service Management System in the Facility Management (FM) has the following advantages:


(i) It improves operations and facilitates day-to-day maintenance activities and management of works.
(ii) The RFID system helps to improve the management of facilities, decision-making and control of quality by providing enhanced processes and equipment visibility.

The RFID system offers a dynamic and centralized approach to facilitate the above FM processes. The objective of this study is to quantify the benefits of RFID technology for the FM. Throughout the study of RFID pilot project carried out by the HKHA, we evaluate the factors that affect the application of RFID system in Hong Kong FM industry. Questionnaires were given out to explore maintenance professionals’ opinions on the satisfaction of RFID system for maintenance of Air Conditioning (A/C) system. The data and hypotheses are analysed by using the statistical methods.

The survey concluded that RFID system can improve the user satisfaction rating in FM compared with the paper based system. From the regression analysis, we found that the processes of improvement, quantities of A/C equipment and training & education are more important in determining the satisfaction of RFID system and have positive effect on the use of RFID system. The analysis of various regression models helped to discover the key significant variables that correlated to the satisfaction of using the RFID system. According to the survey findings, the RFID system has proved to be very useful for FM as it offered significant benefits over traditional paper based approaches.

From the survey result, we also found that the “Insufficient training for use of RFID system” is the important obstacle to the adoption of RFID system. As education and training are critical for development of staff capability to handle new process requirements and achieve better performance of using the RFID system, HKHA is highly recommended to strengthen the training and education in order to improve their work satisfaction and support the continued use of RFID system.

This dissertation offers HKHA managers a valuable perspective on the RFID implementation in their organization. The findings also highlighted the significant potential and obstacle of RFID system for FM. To encourage the use and expand the benefits of RFID system in FM industry, the Government policy is crucial in driving the adoption of RFID system so as to accelerate its diffusion and stimulate the growth of related industries. / published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management

  1. 10.5353/th_b4834180
  2. b4834180
Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:HKU/oai:hub.hku.hk:10722/174567
Date January 2012
CreatorsHo, Tai-hing., 何太慶.
PublisherThe University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong)
Source SetsHong Kong University Theses
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypePG_Thesis
Sourcehttp://hub.hku.hk/bib/B48341800
RightsThe author retains all proprietary rights, (such as patent rights) and the right to use in future works., Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License
RelationHKU Theses Online (HKUTO)

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