Path dependencies and sustainable facilities management: a study of housing companies in Sweden

ABSTRACT Facilities management (FM) of housing stocks has great potential to contribute to sustainable development, but the transition to sustainable facilities management (SFM) is complex and slow. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the challenges of transitioning to SFM for housing companies in Sweden in relation to practical and technical innovations like digitalization. Using a path dependency framework, and drawing on semi-structured interviews with 23 FM professionals, the findings reveal many technologies and practices that housing companies can adopt to transition towards SFM. However, their institutionalized path-dependent behaviour means they are unwilling to change, tend to avoid uncertainty, and overemphasize the financial bottom line. These new innovative solutions also present challenges, such as a lack of established business models and poor value for money. This study contributes insight into what path dependencies need to be broken, what behaviours need to be changed, what structures must be created, and what skills and knowledge must be developed to increase SFM in the housing sector.