The relationship between servant leadership factor and job satisfaction from the junior officers perspectives

The objective of the study is to determine to what extent do the officers perceive their supervisors practice servant leadership behavior that consist six (6) components in the working environment. The study is essential in order to identify the relationship between the servant leadership components such as values people, develop people, builds community, displays authenticity, provides leadership and shares leadership with job satisfaction among junior officers from the Diplomatic and Administration Scheme (Grade M41). Furthermore, the study also is conducted to examine the job satisfaction level among junior officers from the Diplomatic and Administration Scheme in various ministries in Putrajaya Federal Territories. The respondents of the study consist of 383 officers Gred M41 and the data are analyzed by using SPSS version 16 Windows. The main test conducted for the research Pearson‟s Correlation and Multiple Regression. The Pearson‟s Correlation showed that each of the servant leadership factors are was correlated with job satisfaction. Multiple Regression test showed that job satisfaction is significantly influenced all six (6) of the servant leadership factors. Finally, the results also showed that job satisfaction is positively influenced by servant leadership

Prioritizing occupants understanding level on residential building energy consumption

The building sector is widely known for its greenhouse gas and carbon emission which is very significant to the global warming as observed in recent years. Many research works highlighted that buildings has a negative impact on the society as it consumes up to 80% of the total energy used during operation stage. In Malaysia, electricity energy consumption in buildings is 63,354GWh out of the total 116,353GWh of total energy consumed in the country in the year 2012. This paper consider the understanding level of the residential owners in their building energy usage at their various residential buildings. Energy use by household varies widely, this is due to the living standard of a country, type of buildings and climate condition of the region. The study is based on the tips and guides to energy efficiency at home of the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia. Data was collected through a questionnaire survey form and was analyzed using regression analysis, the results indicates that the occupants have little or no proper understanding of Air-condition, Home appliance and Lighting appliances

Productivity assessment and schedule compression index for construction project planning

Productivity assessment and performance evaluation models identified from previous researches were normally performed separately to reduce complication and cost. However, performing both the productivity assessment and performance evaluation would benefit a project progress significantly. Furthermore, effective schedule compression methods should be identified to maximise productivity and reduce additional costs. The aim of the research was to develop a project management tool that combined productivity assessment and schedule compression methods for reporting productivity status and evaluating project performance. The report is produced based on the level of Factors Affecting Productivity (FAP) and Schedule Compression Methods (SCM) obtained from the project. The research was divided into three stages, which involved a pilot, first round, and second round questionnaire surveys. The respondents of the surveys were mostly project and site managers from registered construction firms in several states of the Malaysia Peninsular. The first stage of the research involved identifying the importance and optimum level of project planning, differences between productivity and performance, fundamentals of productivity assessments, plus FAP and SCM from literature review. The pilot survey was used to determine the relevance, suitability and applicability of the information obtained from literature review to the local building construction industry using index of importance method. The second stage of the research involved two rounds of surveys. The objective of the first round survey was to obtain the minimum and maximum limit for FAP and SCM elements weighting process, and to develop the questionnaire for second round survey. The objective of the second round survey was to obtain historical data from completed building construction projects. A table of predicted time performance ratio (TPR) was produced using fuzzy inference system, which was to be used as a project performance index table. The results showed that FAP and SCM were positively correlated, and so were FAP and TPR. In conclusions, there was a need for effective and cheaper project management tools. Productivity assessment and SCM were implemented only by less than fifty percent of the survey respondents. Correct selection of construction methods, scheduling implementation, starting work as planned, complexity of construction and contractor’s budget allocation were considered as having high impact on FAP, while the most effective SCM claimed by the respondents was staffing the project with most efficient crew members. A status report that contained both productivity and performance status of a project was successfully produced

An assessment tool for monitoring project performance

In the past, p roductivity assessment and performance evaluation were carried out separately due to cost constraints. Performing both simultaneously could significantly improve a project monitoring system. The appropriate use of schedule compression methods to accelerate the work at hand will reduce additional costs. The aim of this study was to develop a project monitoring tool that combines productivity assessment and schedule compression methods for reporting productivity status and evaluating project performance. Factors Affecting Productivity (FAP) and Schedule Compression Methods (SCM) were identified and measured from completed building projects. T he capability of using these factors as project assessment tool and project performance predictor was analysed using fuzzy logic inference system . It is found that the Time Performance Ratio ( TPR) can be included in a project status report to monitor and predict project performance

Impact of unplanned schedule compression on project cost

The implementation of unplanned schedule compression is common in the construction environment. When necessary, contractors would need to select methods that also minimize the cost impact on the project. Unfortunately, a limited knowledge exists for determining the methods to be employed in mitigating these potential negative outcomes of higher project costs. This study investigates the frequency of local contractors having experience with unplanned schedule compression, the methods of unplanned schedule compression percentage of usage, and their impact on project costs. The research was based on interviews and questionnaire surveys with building contractors in Penang. An analysis based on numerical scale was conducted on the responses to obtain the average values of impact on project cost. From the analysis, it was concluded that majority of the respondents have experienced unplanned schedule compression. The most frequently used compression methods are working overtime, employing additional workers and using additional work-shift. The least frequently used methods are set-up crew and special material clean-up crew. Detail project planning, doing it right the first time and construction sequencing have the least impact on increasing project cost. Most contractors select their methods based on familiarity instead of carefully considering the impact on project costs

Clarity and improving level of understanding of contract documentation

The contractual obligation by any party in any contract will be interpreted by terms and contents of the documents laid down in the contract. Effective interpretation and understanding of the contractual obligations will be much dependent on the clarity of the documents in translating the needs and requirements implied as in the agreement. Improper understanding of the documents may lead to the different interpretations that may result in unnecessary contractual problems such as disputes, unnecessary claims, reworks, shoddy works, and even litigation. This paper presents the results of the study related to issue of understanding of construction contract documentation in Malaysia. Also presented are the factors that inhibit understanding of the contract as well as factors that can help to make the interpretation process much easier. Eventually, a proposal of various factors that can be used to improve the level of understanding of contract document is suggested in this pape

Identifying the worker's philosophy in. construction firms by using the mcgregor's assumptions

There are many popular theories of leadership and motivation that have been discussed and applied by managers to motivate subordinates. Two ways of looking at people are by using theory X and theory Y. As these analyses are about human characteristics therefore, the theories may vary with culture and economy. There are also differences between the actual underlying beliefs of the managers and the subordinates perceptions of the managers' beliefs. A survey was conducted to obtain the workers' beliefs and perceptions on leadership characteri stics in various construction firm s in four states of Malaysia. The survey involved people of many position s from owners to general labourers. The results of the survey indicated that the cumulative actual beliefs and perceptions of the workers is towards theory

Knowledge transferring process in earthwork contracting firms

Firms with the best information management is more likely to be successful in today’s highly competitive business environment. It is a challenge for earthwork contracting firms to capture information and transform it into knowledge that is available for sharing. This study involves a survey on determining the level of implementation of knowledge transferring (KT) process by earthwork contracting firms. Questionnaire forms were distributed to 120 relevant contracting firms in Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur. The results reveal that all earthwork contracting firms being studied have implemented KT, even though the level of implementation is different. It is found that contractors of higher class are more willing to implement KT than the lower ones. In so far, the benefits of KT are only moderately agreeable in terms of problem solving and customer relationshi

Guidelines for the preparation and submission of work schedule for construction project

The lack of standardised guidelines for the preparation and submission of work schedule has contributed to several problems in construction project especially the extra efforts that have to be put in before parties involved in the project accept the work plan. This paper explores the current practice in project scheduling in the Malaysian construction industry and proposes guidelines that will alleviate the current problems in project scheduling. The methodology adopted was through interviews and questionnaire survey. The findings of the survey form a basis for the formulation of the guidelines. It consists of four main aspects of project scheduling which are process of acceptance of work schedule, responsibilities of the contracting parties, application of work schedule, and implications of work schedule. With the establishment of these guidelines a standardised approach for the preparation and submission of work schedule can be achieved thus will be able to minimise some of the problems that are currently hinder the full application of project scheduling in various construction projects. The proposed guidelines will pave the way for the inclusion of work schedule as part of the contract document

Productivity Assessment and Schedule Compression Index (PASCI) for project planning

Planning and scheduling of construction projects are very much affected by its resource productivity and influenced by various other factors. An increase in construction time and cost is usually related to inefficiency or low productivity, which can be reduced by employing effective planning and monitoring. Schedule compression or work acceleration whether it is planned or unplanned, is normally required to recover projects from delay and inefficient works. It is not easy to perform schedule compression for people who do not have good knowledge and experience on construction processes. The situation can become very difficult and discouraging for many small contractors, especially during economic downturns. There is a need for a simple way to assess productivity and apply schedule compression by using simplified tools such as an index. This paper discusses an on-going research, which objective is to produce a project assessment tool called the Productivity Assessment and Schedule Compression Index (PASCI). This index utilizes a combination of weighted scores from key elements that affect labour productivity and schedule compression methods. It predicts the capability of completing a construction project by comparing the index score to its given contract period at a certain stage of a project. Using the index as a guide, further actions can be taken by contractors and clients, which could produce savings in terms of time and cost