Malaysian Construction Industry Research Articles

Awareness of Building Information Modelling Incentive Scheme in The Malaysian Construction Industry

Abstract This research addressed the lag in Building Information Modelling (BIM) adoption within the Malaysian Construction Industry by examining BIM incentive schemes. The objectives of this study include the identification of barriers in implementing BIM, identification of the awareness level among local construction industry practitioners towards the BIM and to determine the types of incentive scheme that can encourage implementation of BIM in Malaysian Construction Industry. Questionnaire survey which involving 107 potential and existing BIM users was collected. The findings revealed that significant barriers to BIM implementation included high initial cost, lack of BIM skilled workers, high price of digital tools. The awareness of respondents towards BIM incentives schemes was assessed on Situation Awareness Global Assessment Technique (SAGAT), more than half of the respondents were found to be unaware about BIM incentive scheme. Among the types of incentives that can encourage BIM implementation, combination of all incentive benefits received the highest mean ranking, followed by moral incentives such as free BIM training and software support. The findings from this study can assist construction professionals, especially potential and existing BIM users, in increasing awareness of incentive schemes for wider BIM adoption within their organizations.

Evaluating Productivity, Safety and Barriers in Modular Construction System Implementation

Abstract The implementation of modular construction systems in Malaysia is still low as compared to other countries, although it has proven to speed up the construction process. In this matter, this study focused on the productivity and safety that modular construction could offer. Besides, the barrier on the modular construction system implementation in Malaysia is also evaluated. This study employs a mixed research technique, combining a comprehensive literature review and a questionnaire distributed to the respondents via online forms. The analysis utilizes the Fuzzy Delphi method to reach consensus among respondents on the productivity and safety of the modular construction system. The barriers are also evaluated for consensus among the respondents. The findings indicate that modular construction systems have indeed improved site management, reduced construction time, and offered significant advantages in mitigating the risk of accidents and injuries, as supported by consensus. The main barriers to the adoption of modular construction systems include technical challenges and regulatory factors. Conversely, aspects such as supply, demand, industrial attitude, and process are not considered significant barriers. This research contributes to improve the modular construction system implementation in the Malaysian construction industry.

Mediating Role of User Satisfaction in the Relationship between E-Procurement Usage and Contractors’ Performance in the Malaysian Construction Industry

Mediating Role of User Satisfaction in the Relationship between E-Procurement Usage and Contractors’ Performance in the Malaysian Construction Industry

Bridging the Digital Divide: Overcoming Challenges in Technology Adoption in Malaysia’s Construction Industry

The integration of advanced digital technologies within Malaysia's construction industry represents a transformative step toward enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and global competitiveness in line with the Industry 4.0 revolution. Despite advancements in digital tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM), Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence, the sector faces challenges such as poor communication, high costs, and resistance to change. This study examines the key factors driving digital technology adoption, the challenges hindering its implementation, and the strategies to accelerate digital transformation within the industry. Using a structured survey method, data was gathered from 141 respondents, including consultants, subcontractors, and project owners actively engaged in Malaysia's construction sector. Enhanced budgeting, cost management, and improved risk management emerge as critical drivers, while lack of process standardisation and digital expertise are noted as secondary concerns. Data-driven decision-making, infrastructure investment, and structured change management are identified as pivotal strategies for successful technology integration. Findings suggest that widespread adoption requires collaboration among stakeholders, comprehensive training programs, and phased implementation plans to address barriers and foster acceptance. This research contributes to Malaysia’s Construction 4.0 framework, emphasising the need for targeted interventions to modernise practices, improve productivity, and achieve national development goals.

Assessment of Occupational Accidents in the Malaysian Construction Industry from 2015 to 2023: A Study on ISO 45001 Implementation, Impact on Workers, and Safety Recommendations

Assessment of Occupational Accidents in the Malaysian Construction Industry from 2015 to 2023: A Study on ISO 45001 Implementation, Impact on Workers, and Safety Recommendations

Enhancing Sustainable Development Practices in The Malaysian Construction Industry: Sustainable Built Environment, Sustainable Project Management, and Sustainable Construction

Despite efforts to promote the adoption of Sustainable Development (SD) concepts in Malaysian construction projects, an often-overlooked element is the potential misinterpretation of Sustainable Built Environment (SBE), Sustainable Project Management (SPM), and Sustainable Construction (SC) and the relevancy within the context of SD. This misconception and the risk of fragmented knowledge leading to misguided strategies, inefficient resource allocation, and sub-optimal project outcomes. This paper provides insights from research aimed at addressing these concerns by redefining the concepts of SBE, SPM, and SC to enhance understanding of application in SD which SBE guides overarching planning, SPM applies sustainable practices to individual projects, and SC ensures eco-friendly building practices during construction. Employing a qualitative approach for the research method, in-depth literature analysis was conducted using multi-layered thematic analysis by reassessing the right understanding of these concepts by identifying their similarities, differences, and overlaps. The findings suggest that a sound understanding of the concepts must be the principal starting point for learning SD in the built environment. The concepts should be perceived as a cohesive entity to avoid misconceptions in knowledge and practices as well as the industry practitioner can take proactive steps to foster a more sustainable and resilient construction sector, benefiting not only the construction industry but also society and the environment at large.

Industry-wide Knowledge Management Initiatives: Best Knowledge Management Practices of Construction Organizations

Knowledge management implementation is a costly and time-consuming project that has to be well-defined. Coordinated and executed. This study focuses on domain knowledge management of the Malaysian construction industry. Thirty-one respondents from various categories of construction organizations have participated in this concurrent mixed-method study. A purposive sampling procedure has been used to obtain the required data. Before that, an instrument was prepared, consisting of measurement on four constructs, namely Perception about Organization Environment (POE), Perception about Knowledge Management in Organization (PKO), Knowledge Discovery Practices (KDP), and Appreciation System (AP). Since the ordinal scale was used, the qualitative descriptive analysis was done based on median, maximum, and minimum values. Additionally, a Spearman Correlation analysis was conducted, revealing several significant correlations, including those between PEO and KMO, PEO and KDP, KMO and KDP, KMO and AP, as well as KDP and AP. During the survey, suggestions from the respondents regarding the best practices for knowledge management were also sought. This qualitative data was later analyzed using thematic analysis. As a result, it is revealed that most of the sampled construction organizations provide encouraging environments for good knowledge management practices. They support knowledge discovery and acquisition while implementing an appreciation system to maintain the good practice of knowledge management. The thematic analysis has also indicated that knowledge management applications are crucial for these organizations. Overall, this study has expanded the existing body of knowledge by providing insights into implementing scalable and sustainable knowledge management practices tailored for construction organizations.

Technological Drivers and Barriers for Digital Twin Adoption in the Malaysian Construction Industry

Digital twin (DT) technology can potentially boost project performance and decision-making across various industries, including construction. However, the Malaysian construction sector encounters various barriers to its implementation. This paper aims to explore the barriers and drivers associated with the adoption of digital twin technology in Malaysia’s construction industry. Specifically, it aims to identify obstacles to adoption and propose technological drivers that could facilitate its integration into construction practices. A total of 23 journal articles were meticulously reviewed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. In addition, data from 97 responses collected from G7 construction professionals were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study uncovers various barriers hindering the adoption of digital twin technology in the Malaysian construction industry. These barriers include financial uncertainties, technological complexity, lack of standardisation, cyber security concerns and issues related to intellectual property rights. Furthermore, barriers arise from the novelty of the technology, the diversity of source systems, and interoperability issues. Moreover, the study categorizes the identified drivers into distinct categories and sub-themes, focusing on principles, production, operational performance and preservation. The findings indicate that overcoming these barriers and utilising the identified factors could accelerate the implementation of digital twin technology in the Malaysian construction industry. This study adds to the existing knowledge base and provides insights to encourage the spread of digital twin technology in Malaysia.

Exploring the nexus of stakeholder management, project performance and stakeholder satisfaction in Malaysian residential building projects: a PLS-SEM approach

PurposeIn this research, the authors distributed a survey to 156 residential construction developers and 468 buyers to assess the level of perceived agreement of developers and buyers on the key indicators for measuring stakeholder management, project performance and stakeholder satisfaction. Following this, a partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) model was developed to quantitatively analyse the direct impacts of stakeholder management on both project performance and stakeholder satisfaction, and to analyse the mediating role of stakeholder satisfaction in enhancing project performance.Design/methodology/approachThis paper seeks to investigate the direct effects of stakeholder management on project performance and stakeholder satisfaction within residential construction projects, and also examine the mediating role of stakeholder satisfaction in enhancing project performance by surveying residential buildings’ developers and buyers in Malaysia.FindingsThis research found that effective stakeholder management directly improves project performance and stakeholder satisfaction within Malaysian residential construction projects. It further identified that stakeholder satisfaction significantly enhances project performance, serving as a critical mediator in the relationship between stakeholder management and project performance.Practical implicationsThis study enhances the understanding of stakeholder management, stakeholder satisfaction and project performance in the Malaysian construction industry, offering strategic insights that emphasise the importance of stakeholder-centric practices for improving project outcomes, ensuring better collaboration and fostering enhanced project performance. Integrating these insights with digital technologies like building information modelling can lead to clearer communication, more informed stakeholder engagement, and, ultimately, enhanced project efficiency and satisfaction.Originality/valueThis paper offers empirical evidence on the critical role of stakeholder management and satisfaction in enhancing project performance in Malaysia’s residential construction projects, providing novel insights into stakeholder-centric approaches that contribute to improved project outcomes.

Key Competencies among Engineering Leaders in the Malaysian Construction Industry

In the rapidly evolving field of engineering, effective leadership is essential for the successful completion of complex projects. However, engineers often hesitate to take on leadership roles and are underrepresented in leadership positions (Jamieson & Donald, 2020). While there is a growing body of literature on engineering leadership, much of it lacks empirical rigor and tends to focus on managing engineers rather than leadership competencies (Schell et al., 2021). Moreover, research specific to engineering leadership, particularly in Malaysia, is limited. This study addresses these gaps by exploring the key competencies required for engineering leaders in Malaysia’s construction industry. Using a qualitative research design, data was collected through in-depth interviews with 17 engineering leaders. Purposive sampling was employed to select participants based on specific criteria. Constant comparative analysis revealed three primary competencies: (1) the ability to establish and work toward a set vision, (2) the ability to frame and address engineering project issues, and (3) the ability to manage resources effectively. This study contributes valuable insights into the competencies that define effective engineering leaders, offering practical implications for leadership development and engineering management practices. By cultivating these competencies, organizations can enhance leadership capabilities and improve project outcomes. The findings suggest that focusing on strategic vision, problem-solving, and resource management can help foster better leadership in engineering projects. Ultimately, this research lays the foundation for further exploration into engineering leadership, particularly in non-Western contexts, and provides a model for leadership development tailored to the engineering domain.

Environmental Management Practices and Sustainable Green Concrete Use in Malaysia's Construction Industry: Challenges, Benefits, and Future Directions

This review examines the environmental management practices (EMPs) employed within Malaysia's construction sector, with a particular focus on sustainable practices and the adoption of green concrete, including fly ash, rice husk ash, and palm oil fuel ash varieties. The study identifies key challenges, such as low awareness, high costs, weak legal enforcement, and the underdevelopment of green materials in the country. To address these issues, the report proposes solutions such as capacity-building programs, government incentives like tax breaks and grants, regular site inspections, and investment in research and development of green materials. The review also assesses the advantages and limitations of different green concrete types used in Malaysia. The aim of this study is to enhance sustainability efforts and reduce the environmental impact of construction activities through greater awareness, stronger regulatory support, and commitment from all stakeholders. Implementing greener concrete and EMPs is expected to not only mitigate environmental concerns but also yield long-term economic benefits for Malaysia.

Construction Waste Management Strategies Towards Sustainable Practices in Malaysia

Malaysia has witnessed substantial rapid growth in construction waste management (CWM). However, this expansion has brought with it an obvious dilemma, namely an increasing amount of construction waste. The main aim of this study was to examine the critical issues of CWM in Malaysia, considering its various impacts on the environment, economy and society. Waste from various building materials increases with time, placing a heavy burden on ecosystems, public health and the economy. This study develops a strategic approach to CWM in Malaysia. The study focuses on identifying the common practices of construction waste and its’ relevant future strategies for enhancing sustainability. The method approach for this study was qualitative research, which consists of observation and semi-structured interview techniques. Respondents were from developers, management teams, contractors and site supervisors with expertise in CWM. Open-ended questions were designed and distributed to the respondents during the interview session to achieve information related to the current practice, challenges and solutions for improving CWM practices in Malaysia. The study highlights the importance of incorporating safety, health and environmental factors into CWM to facilitate the transformation of Malaysia's construction industry into a more ecologically conscious and productive sector. This will ultimately lead to a future characterized by enhanced security, improved sanitation and greater sustainability.

Integrated value–based project management in the Malaysian construction industry

Value Management (VM) is a structured approach to maximising a project’s value by analysing its functions, materials, and costs to meet objectives at the lowest cost without compromising quality, performance, or functionality. In Malaysia’s construction industry, VM has significantly enhanced project outcomes. However, VM faces challenges despite its benefits due to limited awareness, knowledge barriers, and a gap between theory and practice. Although many practitioners recognise VM’s advantages, there remains a need for a deeper understanding of the VM process and how to apply necessary project management (PM) activities for project success. This study addresses the gap in understanding how PM activities can be integrated with VM to enhance project performance in the Malaysian construction industry. PM involves planning, organising, and controlling resources to achieve specific goals within set constraints, using knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to successfully execute projects and deliver desired outcomes. The study employed a qualitative method, including interviews with eleven professionals and practitioners in Malaysia’s construction industry, to identify PM activities that can be incorporated into the VM process. Thematic analysis using Atlas.ti revealed that PM and VM share similar objectives in ensuring project performance. The study illustrates the benefits of incorporating PM operations into VM by highlighting the relationships between PM and VM, such as better collaboration, better resource management, and improved project outcomes. By providing practitioners with a framework to apply PM techniques within the VM process, our findings contribute to the innovation of VM concepts, enhancing project performance, and bridging the theory-practice gap in the Malaysian construction sector.

Measuring the Performance of Industrialized Building System (IBS) Construction on Projects Towards Achieving IR 4.0 in Malaysia- Contractor’s Perspective

According to prolonged project completion times, excessive costs, and inadequate building products, the majority of construction projects are seen as underperforming. Alternatively, stakeholders are encouraged to move from conventional to Industrialized Building Systems (IBS) in line with today's technology. Previous studies show the performance of IBS practices in the Malaysian construction industry is still at a low level even though the government has diversified promotions and issued instructions for 70% of IBS use in government projects. These selection criteria affect contractors' performance of IBS practices and need to be done in a systematic way, along with current technology trends and sustainability. Content validity in IBS practice performance is an important step in instrument development. Content validity in IBS practice performance is an important step in instrument development. Therefore, this research aims to evaluate the content validity of the performance effectiveness of IBS practices by using the content validity index (CVI) and modified Kappa sensitivity. In an effort to accomplish the objectives of this study, a questionnaire was created using construct items that were taken from earlier research projects by various researcher. A panel of selected experts who are experienced in the field of IBS, such as CIDB, ​​JKR and contractors have reviewed and evaluated pig instruments to ensure the relevance of each item. The final instrument contains 39 items that are valid and considered permanent and all items will be tested again in the next study. The results showed that the S-CVI/AVE for every item met every requirement and received an outstanding rating for every assessment.

Theoretical Gap and Delimitation of Engineering Leadership in the Malaysian Construction Industry

In the context of the Malaysian construction industry, effective leadership remains pivotal for navigating the complexities inherent in engineering projects. Past studies have consistently identified leadership as one of the critical factors in ensuring the success of construction projects. Effective leadership has been linked to project performance, timely completion, and team coordination. Despite the recognized importance of leadership in construction project success, there remains a lack of a clear definition of engineering leadership. This ambiguity poses challenges for the development of robust frameworks to guide and cultivate engineering leaders. This article addresses the theoretical gaps and delimitations remarked in current studies on leadership within engineering sector, specifically in construction industry. A comprehensive review of leadership theories reveals a progression from foundational concepts such as Trait Theory to contemporary frameworks including Transformational and Servant Leadership. While these theories have enriched our understanding of leadership dynamics, there exists a discernible stagnation in the development of new theoretical frameworks. Many studies predominantly focus on validating existing models rather than pioneering innovative perspectives tailored to the unique challenges of the Malaysian construction ecosystem. This review highlights the need for future research to explore and articulate imperative insights that can effectively guide leadership practices within Malaysia's construction sector, fostering project outcomes and sustainable industry development.

Green procurement in the construction industry: unfolding new underlying barriers for a developing country context

Despite the construction industry’s detrimental effects on environmental sustainability, the concept of green procurement (GP) is still relatively new in the developing world. The barriers hindering GP adoption need detailed investigation as studies in the context of developing countries are still limited and the underlying dimensions remain a known-unknown. This study appraised the critical barriers to GP adoption in the Malaysian construction industry. Twenty (20) barriers were identified from the detailed literature review and a field survey was conducted with 150 professionals. The ranking analysis results indicated the top five barriers are: high initial cost; lack of expertise and regulations; lack of government regulations; lack of top management commitment and lack of awareness among construction stakeholders. A factor analysis further identified five major underlying dimensions. The study showed that both government and organisational commitments are crucial in promoting GP adoption. This study adds to incremental knowledge in GP literature by analysing the critical barriers and the associated underlying dimensions to GP adoption in a developing country, which could help practitioners and policymakers in evaluating the organisation’s or industry’s readiness to adopt GP practices along with devising apt measures to mitigate the barriers to shift to sustainable and environmentally friendly construction.

Review of Building Information Modeling (BIM) Adoption Amongst SMEs in the Malaysian Construction Industry

Review of Building Information Modeling (BIM) Adoption Amongst SMEs in the Malaysian Construction Industry

SUSTAINABLE GREEN BUILDING INITIATIVES IN MALAYSIA: ISSUES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION PRACTICES

In recent years, green building practices have received tremendous global attention for their ability to protect the environment and foster sustainable development, and Malaysia, one of the fastest-growing countries, is enthusiastically embracing the green building movement. However, throughout the construction period of this green building, many issues occurred that contributed to the deterioration of the performance of the building itself. This research aims to identify the main issues faced by green building projects in Malaysia to ensure the performance of the building can be maintained and improved, by using a questionnaire survey that collects the views of 72 experienced participants. The findings reveal that operation and maintenance are urgent issues that need to be addressed in Malaysian green building projects, underscoring the need for policy intervention. Overall, this study can support the regulation of green building maintenance, underlining the critical nature of recognizing and addressing these issues collectively to foster the growth and success of green building initiatives in the Malaysian construction industry, thereby contributing to a more sustainable construction environment throughout the country.

Building information modeling (BIM) implementation and construction project success in Malaysian construction industry: mediating role of project control

PurposeThe primary objective of this study is to analyze the correlation between the application of building information modeling (BIM), the construction project success (CPS) and project control. Additionally, this research aims to explore the potential mediating effect of project control on the link between BIM and construction project success in the Malaysian construction industry.Design/methodology/approachThe present study employs a quantitative research methodology and adheres to a positivist research philosophy in order to examine the influence of BIM implementation on the CPS and project control within the Malaysian construction sector. The data were collected by structured questionnaire survey from 200 respondents using a purposive sampling strategy, and the results were analyzed by using partial least square (PLS)-structural equation modeling (SEM). The study's findings are all the more noteworthy since, despite the small sample size, 218 persons genuinely participated thanks to the purposive sampling approach.FindingsThe findings of this study indicate that there are notable and positive associations between various variables related to the implementation of BIM. These variables include accurate quantities and estimations, risk management, facility management integration, optimized resource allocation and real-time monitoring. Furthermore, these relationships are observed to have a significant impact on both CPS and project control. The study revealed that project control serves as a mediator in the relationship between the deployment of BIM and the CPS in the Malaysian construction sector, with the exception of its influence on risk management.Originality/valueThe originality of this research consists in examining the mediating function of project control in the relationship between BIM implementation and CPS. This study contributes to the existing knowledge by enhancing our understanding of the processes via which BIM positively influences project outcomes.

A Recent Study on Industrialized Building System (IBS) in Malaysian Construction Industry: A Systematic Review

The construction sector has witnessed a significant increase in the use of Industrialized Building Systems (IBS) as a viable remedy for challenges related to productivity, cost effectiveness, and sustainability. Nevertheless, despite the increasing attention and extensive study conducted on this subject, there exists a significant requirement for a thorough and current evaluation of the most recent advancements in the field of Industrialized Building Systems (IBS). The primary aim of this systematic review is to fill in the current gaps in knowledge by undertaking a thorough examination of the current scientific literature and to give a thorough and up-to-date summary of the current research results on Industrialized Building Systems (IBS) in the Malaysian construction sector using a rigorous methodology that includes systematic search, screening, and synthesis. The expected outcomes are the recognition of developing patterns, inventive technology, and original methodologies in the application of IBS, along by a thorough analysis of their consequences and any obstacles. This article seeks to make a substantial contribution to the academic discussion on Industrialized Building Systems (IBS) by integrating the most recent findings. The final primary data was evaluated after a thorough search of the Scopus and Web of Science databases (n = 23). This systematic study aims to provide industry professionals, policymakers, and researchers with an understanding of the current advancements in the field. Furthermore, this study also aims to provide valuable insights for future research endeavours and practical implementations in the dynamic field of building.