The study of home-buyers’ satisfaction towards purchasing houses in residential areas

As the world evolves across cultures and centuries, people has become master builders and construct different kinds of houses for themselves and the community. Houses act as shelters and typically have basic features that protects the occupants from rain or sunlight, however, the features and functionality of houses nowadays has gone through so much improvement to cater the needs of homebuyers. Most homebuyers decides on purchasing a house based on their limited knowledge on real estate purchasing, and a lot of them did not conduct research prior to purchasing a house. This resulted in dissatisfied homebuyers and end up making them spend more money in the long term as to perform maintenance work (if they purchased low quality houses). This paper explores the satisfaction of homebuyers towards purchasing houses in residential area by validating the three contributing factors towards achieving homebuyers’ satisfaction found from the literature. This study assists in highlighting the vital aspects that developers should focus on in residential construction in order to increase the level of satisfaction of homebuyers during the post-construction phase. Three factors were identified from the literature as the factors contributing to homebuyers’ satisfaction which are (i) home warranty, (ii) suitable location with complete facilities, and (iii) security protection. A total of 55 questionnaires were distributed to homebuyers in Taman Nusa Intan, Senawang, Negeri Sembilan. Based on the Pearson Correlation Coefficient, all variables have positive correlations and indicates that the three factors do contribute towards homebuyers’ satisfaction in purchasing houses. In order to achieve homebuyers’ satisfaction, developers need to ensure that workmanship during construction is performed according to standards to avoid resulting in bad quality and hence produce defects during the handover process to the homebuyers. Defects that were identified then need to be made good during the warranty period and need to be exercised fully to benefit the homebuyers

Quality and Quality Standards In Construction: A Systematic Review

One of the customers’ satisfactory elements identified in construction is quality since the construction industry shifted from production-orientated management to customer orientated management. However, several issues are identified as a hindrance to achieving overall quality and can be caused due to low-quality construction materials and non-compliance to the standards. Therefore, before any further strategies to improve the quality of construction are determined, it is crucial to establish the fundamental knowledge on quality and its relevant aspects applicable in the construction industry. Hence, this paper seeks the definition of quality and quality standards by using the systematic review based on six-level of procedures. Based on the sources gathered, quality can be defined as the foreseeable degree of standardization and reliability with quality standard suitable to the client’s preference and thereby provide client’s approval, whereas quality standards is defined as to offer a reference in ensuring all construction activities comply to the adequate specifications set by authorized bodies. The definitions found provide practical implications for future work related to quality and project specification

The Implementation of Maintenance System in Malaysia’s Public Housing at Kota Bharu, Kelantan

Establishing an effective maintenance system in public housing buildings is essential in ensuring the building operates optimally and enhances residents' satisfaction. However, the maintenance management in Malaysian public housing is considered low, particularly on leaky roofs, dysfunctional elevators and obstructed pipes. Consequently, the deterioration of facilities and services makes the residents dissatisfied. Consequently, the study aims to determine the current implementation and effectiveness of the maintenance system for public housing by focusing on the residents' satisfaction level and the practice of the maintenance personnel. Surveys were conducted with residents and maintenance personnel from the Projek Perumahan Rakyat Kota Bharu's public housing. A total of 230 questionnaires were considered valid and analyzed to rank the residents' satisfaction level towards public housing maintenance and the practice of the maintenance personnel in public residential buildings. The data was analyzed using the Mean Analysis in the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The result revealed that the residents are satisfied with the maintenance system's performance, with an electrical system as the most satisfying maintenance performance rated by the residents, compared with other aspects of the maintenance performance factors, with a mean score of 3.94. However, several aspects of the maintenance system, namely cleaning services, security system, and time for repairing the defects, still need improvement to enhance the maintenance quality of public housing in Malaysia

The Implementation of Maintenance System in Malaysia’s Public Housing at Kota Bharu, Kelantan

Establishing an effective maintenance system in public housing buildings is essential in ensuring the building operates optimally and enhances residents' satisfaction. However, the maintenance management in Malaysian public housing is considered low, particularly on leaky roofs, dysfunctional elevators and obstructed pipes. Consequently, the deterioration of facilities and services makes the residents dissatisfied. Consequently, the study aims to determine the current implementation and effectiveness of the maintenance system for public housing by focusing on the residents' satisfaction level and the practice of the maintenance personnel. Surveys were conducted with residents and maintenance personnel from the Projek Perumahan Rakyat Kota Bharu's public housing. A total of 230 questionnaires were considered valid and analyzed to rank the residents' satisfaction level towards public housing maintenance and the practice of the maintenance personnel in public residential buildings. The data was analyzed using the Mean Analysis in the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The result revealed that the residents are satisfied with the maintenance system's performance, with an electrical system as the most satisfying maintenance performance rated by the residents, compared with other aspects of the maintenance performance factors, with a mean score of 3.94. However, several aspects of the maintenance system, namely cleaning services, security system, and time for repairing the defects, still need improvement to enhance the maintenance quality of public housing in Malaysia

Enhancing project manager communication soft skills and risk management practices in Libyan oil and gas construction projects: The role of experience

Purpose: Although there has been an increase in the application of a variety of robust technologies and systems, the oil and gas sector relies on project managers’ soft skills for success because of their vital role. Therefore, this study aims to explore the profound influence of project managers’ soft communication skills on successful risk management within Libya’s oil and gas projects. Design/methodology/approach: A review of relevant literature and a quantitative approach through the administration of a questionnaire were used to determine factors impacting risk management implementation related to managerial communication skills. A total of 246 valid responses were received from the oil and gas companies in Tripoli, Libya. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to examine the direct and moderating relationship drawn by the hypotheses. Findings: The findings suggest that managerial soft skills may be used to improve continuous risk management processes and intra-project communication. It was found that the experience is strengthening the positive relationship between written communication soft skills and project risk management implementation among Libyan oil and gas construction projects. Originality/value: This study defines project managers’ soft communication skills and analyzes project managers’ soft communication skills with the role of experience as a moderator. This paper presents a valuable contribution by offering original insights tailored explicitly to the Libyan context. The information presented in this paper is relevant to project managers operating within the oil and gas industry. It also offers a novel approach to risk management in the Libyan oil and gas industry that can improve project efficiency and effectiveness

Assessing Pedestrian Facilities for the Blind in the Urban Environment of an Emerging Economy

In highlighting the sustainable urban environment of an emerging economy, walkability becomes a key trait. The criteria that can improve walkability in urban areas are the provision and ease of access to pedestrian facilities for everyone, including people with disabilities (PWDs). The mobility of PWDs in urban areas is very challenging as they face physical, cultural, and social barriers that hinder their participation in society. In line with this concern, this study intends to assess the current provision and accessibility aspect of pedestrian facilities for the blind in Kuantan city by using on-site assessment. The findings reported that the pedestrian facilities for the blind in Kuantan city are lacking in the provision and not entirely accessible specifically on walkway/sidewalk, tactile block, pedestrian crossing, handrail, and ramp. The barriers underlined in the findings may act as a direction for local authorities and industry to improve the pedestrian facilities for the blind and, consequently, will be equally beneficial for all pedestrians

Tahap Kesedaran Pelajar Sijil Teknologi Elektrik (STE) Kolej Komuniti Kuantan Terhadap Amalan Keselamatan Dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan Di Bengkel Dan Makmal

Kajian ini dijalankan bertujuan untuk mengenalpasti tahap kesedaran pelajar Sijil Teknologi Elektrik (STE) di Kolej Komuniti Kuantan terhadap amalan keselamatan dan kesihatan (KdK) pekerjaan di dalam bengkel dan makmal. Populasi kajian terdiri daripada pelajar STE dan seramai 50 orang pelajar dipilih pada sesi Jun 2018. Kaedah soal selidik yang diubahsuai dari Samsudin Abas digunakan sebagai instrument utama bagi mendapatkan data. Perisian SPSS versi 23 digunakan untuk menyediakan analisis secara deskriptif dengan menggunakan kekerapan, peratusan dan min untuk mengenalpasti tahap kesedaran responden terhadap KdK. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa pelajar STE mempunyai tahap kesedaran yang tinggi terhadap KdK apabila mencatatkan min skor keseluruhan 3.97. Aspek-aspek kesedaran pelajar terhadap KdK yang dikaji ialah polisi, prosedur, peralatan, latihan, Jawatankuasa Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan dan komitmen serta persekitaran. Faktor prosedur keselamatan merupakan faktor dominan yang menyumbang kepada tahap kesedaran responden terhadap KdK. Bagi meningkatkan tahap kesedaran responden, peranan Jawatankuasa Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan (JKKKP), Kolej Komuniti Kuantan perlu diperkasa dan diperluaskan lagi

Derivation of high-resolution orthophoto map from multirotor drone survey for application in infrastructure management

An orthophoto is a geometrically corrected aerial image that can be used in the same approach as map. It provides various geospatial information and therefore plays an important role in infrastructure management. This paper describes the methodology of an aerial survey using a multirotor drone and the processing of aerial images acquired from the survey to produce an orthophoto map. The survey work was carried out using Zenmuse X4S photogrammetric camera controlled by an autopilot multirotor drone at 200m above the ground. Optimal flight path for the autonomous mission was created and organized using the Map Pilot software. Five ground control points were laid within the survey area and their locations were determined using a real-time kinematic global navigation satellite system. Aerial images acquired from the survey were processed with the Pix4Dmapper photogrammetry software. The photogrammetric processing generated a 6 cm-resolution orthophoto map. The presented work demonstrates the practicality of multirotor drone survey and intelligent image processing for non-professionals in deriving high-resolution orthophoto map for application in infrastructure management

The implementation of maintenance system in Malaysia’s public housing at Kota Bharu, Kelantan

Establishing an effective maintenance system in public housing buildings is essential in ensuring the building operates optimally and enhances residents' satisfaction. However, the maintenance management in Malaysian public housing is considered low, particularly on leaky roofs, dysfunctional elevators and obstructed pipes. Consequently, the deterioration of facilities and services makes the residents dissatisfied. Consequently, the study aims to determine the current implementation and effectiveness of the maintenance system for public housing by focusing on the residents' satisfaction level and the practice of the maintenance personnel. Surveys were conducted with residents and maintenance personnel from the Projek Perumahan Rakyat Kota Bharu's public housing. A total of 230 questionnaires were considered valid and analyzed to rank the residents' satisfaction level towards public housing maintenance and the practice of the maintenance personnel in public residential buildings. The data was analyzed using the Mean Analysis in the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The result revealed that the residents are satisfied with the maintenance system's performance, with an electrical system as the most satisfying maintenance performance rated by the residents, compared with other aspects of the maintenance performance factors, with a mean score of 3.94. However, several aspects of the maintenance system, namely cleaning services, security system, and time for repairing the defects, still need improvement to enhance the maintenance quality of public housing in Malaysia