Hybrid approach for investigating the driving power of factors impacting maintenance cost of shopping malls

Purpose This study aims to determine the driving power of the key factors impacting maintenance costs of shopping malls in Saudi Arabia, while understanding the correlations among them. Design/methodology/approach Thirty-seven factors were surveyed by 120 professionals to assess their significance through the Relative Importance Index (RII). Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) was employed to determine the key factors' driving power, leading to a proposed strategic maintenance cost management plan. Findings The RII analysis identified the key cost drivers in the maintenance of shopping malls, such as Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) design defects, architectural flaws, inadequate handover procedures, construction defects and unclear outsourced maintenance scopes. The ISM analysis identified key interdependencies, including the absence of maintainability studies, ineffective root cause analysis, and inadequate Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) measures during the design and construction phases. Practical implications Proactive strategies were provided for optimizing maintenance planning through the analysis of key cost-driving factors. These included early maintainability studies, thorough QA/QC and predictive maintenance to reduce costs and extend facility lifespan. These findings improve resource allocation, minimize emergency repairs and improve long-term operational efficiency. Social implications The study improves shopping malls' safety, comfort and economic sustainability by optimizing maintenance strategies. Effective cost management improves user experience, reduces disruptions, supports employment and ensures malls remain vibrant social and commercial hubs. Originality/value The study presented a novel approach to identify the correlations among the key factors impacting maintenance costs of shopping malls in Saudi Arabia.