SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT IN FACILITIES MANAGEMENT – USING THE i2i MODEL

The SPICE (Sarshar et al, 2000) project identified that supply chain management issues were very important in the construction industry. Thus, the SPICE FM project examined supply chain management issues using the Integrate to Innovate (i2i) model developed by Barrett and Sexton (1998). i2i is a five-level model and framework for evaluating supply chain relationships. It operates on the premise that the capacity for innovation increases the higher you go up the levels. Relationships can operate at different levels simultaneously and the aim is to achieve a balanced portfolio of relationships with suppliers. A case study was undertaken at an Acute NHS Hospital Trust in the Northwest of England. This paper presents how the model was applied and the findings of the case study. It discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the model in healthcare FM, and is of interest to facilities managers in general and the healthcare sector in particular.