Model for implementation of green construction / Afzan Ahmad Zaini

The recent shift from conventional construction to green construction has brought about efficiency and improvement to the construction industry. However, the construction industry is still reluctant to embrace this new development. This circumstance is primarily due to a fundamental problem of the lack of clarity in grasping the concept of green construction. Consequently, it has called for a need to explore the current practice of green construction in the construction industry with which this research has attempted to deal. In this research, a considerable effort was made towards identifying the solution to the problem through the establishment of a green construction model. In the process of establishing the model, four objectives were outlined; (1) To identify the current practice of green construction, (2) To investigate the level of awareness and understanding of the benefits and disadvantages of green construction, (3) To investigate factors of green construction innovation, and (4) To determine the major challenges for the implementation of green construction. The findings used for the establishment of the model were structured and analysed based on the data from 346 usable questionnaires and 25 semi-structured interviews with the aid of SPSS19 and NVivo-9 respectively

A model for implementation of green construction / Afzan Ahmad Zaini

The recent shift from conventional construction to green construction has brought about efficiency and improvement to the construction industry. However, the construction industry is still reluctant to embrace this new development. This circumstance is primarily due to a fundamental problem of the lack of clarity in grasping the concept of green construction. Consequently, it has called for a need to explore the current practice of green construction in the construction industry with which this research has attempted to deal. In this research, a considerable effort was made towards identifying the solution to the problem through the establishment of a green construction model. In the process of establishing the model, four objectives were outlined; (1) To identify the current practice of green construction, (2) To investigate the level of awareness and understanding of the benefits and disadvantages of green construction, (3) To investigate factors of green construction innovation, and (4) To determine the major challenges for the implementation of green construction. The findings used for the establishment of the model were structured and analysed based on the data from 346 usable questionnaires and 25 semi-structured interviews with the aid of SPSS 19 and NVivo-9 respectively. The datasets from the questionnaire survey were analysed using several statistical analyses; exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, assessment of normality, descriptive analysis (mean and ranking), and analysis of variance (ANOVA), while the datasets from the semi-structured interview were analysed using content analysis. A structural equation modelling (SEM-AMOS) was further employed in order to establish and validate the statistical model analyses that involved pooled-confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modelling, and moderation effect for the latent constructs. From the findings, it was found that the implementation of ISO 14001: Environmental Management System attained the highest mean score for the current practices. The mean scores for the level of awareness and understanding in green construction were almost equal; the highest mean score for benefits was "Improve customer satisfaction" and the highest mean score for disadvantages was "High cost of green construction material." Subsequently, the highest mean scores for green construction innovation and challenges were "Environmental Policies and Procedures in Green Construction" and "Lack of Awareness of the Environmental Preservation" respectively. Based on the overall establishment and validation of the model, it was found that the model performed well and all five hypotheses of the model establishment were supported. From the practical perspective, the model should be able to encourage construction stakeholders to be more attentive in the area of green construction. Hence, it can be used as a diagnostic tool for the continuous improvement of green construction in the Malaysian construction industry

Contractors’ Approaches to Risk Management at the Construction Phase in Malaysia

Abstract - Often times, contractors failed to identify, plan, strategize, analyzed, execute, monitor, control and manage the risk involves during construction phase in Malaysia. Consequently, the contractor failed to complete the project on schedule, within client’s budget and quality. The idea of introducing formal risk management among Malaysian contractors during construction phase is seem to be a proactive approach to achieve the project objectives. This paper intends to identify the application of formal risk management among the contractors during the construction phase in Malaysia. Questionnaires and interviews were used. It was found that although the risk management process in Malaysian construction industry has been introduced, most of them are not well structured and not being implemented in a formal manner. Therefore, it is suggested that these contractors should try to implement formal risk management and hope that the construction industry in Malaysia can enjoy the benefits and lead our industry effectively into the next stage of building the nation.Keywords : Risk Management, Contractors, Construction Phase, Malaysia

Contractors’ Strategic Approaches to Risk Assessment Techniques at Project Planning Stage

Abstract — The construction industry is still plagued by poor quality, poor workmanship, poor safety and health environment, and poor practices. The current main problem in the Malaysian Construction Industry is delayed projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan. The idea of introducing formal risk assessment among Malaysian contractors during the project planning stage is a proactive approach to achieve project objectives. Therefore, this research intends to achieve the following objectives: (1) to investigate the contractors’ approaches of risk assessment techniques at the project planning stage, (2) to investigate the consequences of risk assessment techniques at the project planning stage, and (3) to determine the appropriate risk assessment techniques in dealing with the potential risk factors at the project planning stage. The research methodology applied for this research includes literature reviews and questionnaires. Findings from this research show that the application of risk assessment techniques in the Malaysian Construction Industry is still moderate. Hence, it is suggested that these contractors should try to implement formal risk assessment techniques during the project planning stage in order to achieve the project objectives.Keywords - Risk; Risk Assessment; Contractors; Project Planning Stage; Construction Industry

Enriching Immersive Learning Experience During Movement Control Order (MCO) Through Blended Learning Substitution Method

Blended or hybrid learning is a self-directed learning, project-based learning and remote learning that combines both online and face-toface learning. It allows online educational materials and opportunities for online interaction with traditional classroom methods. Blended learning requires the physical presence of both teacher and student, with some elements of student control over time, place and direction. Hybrid education uses online technology to not just supplement but transform and improve the learning process. This course (BEQ 1073 Construction Economics for Quantity Surveyors I) adopted Blended Learning Substitution which was introduced by Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and the university due to Movement Control Order (MCO) on 18th March 2020. Several platforms were used to implement Blended Learning Substitution method for this course such as eLEAP, live classroom, forum, and simulations based on the real construction project. A new course plan was developed using asynchronous mode for the remaining half of the semester to enable students with poor internet connection to get access

Adopting Contractors’ Risk Management (CIRIM) Framework using Multi Dimensional Theories

In general, many contractors in Malaysia are found to have a limited expertise in developing an appropriate strategy to mitigate project risks. Consequently, this has led contractors struggling to complete the project on schedule, within the client’s budget and quality parameters. This was proven by the current issues on the delayed projects reported in the Ninth Malaysian Plan. Currently in Malaysia, there is no existing risk management framework specifically designed for contractors. Thus, the idea of introducing CIRIM among the Malaysian contractors is a proactive approach to achieve better project objectives. This paper therefore proposes to introduce the CIRIM framework to be adopted by the Malaysian contractors. The research methodology applied in the main research includes literature reviews, questionnaires and interviews. It is found that although there are some forms of risk management systems being used in the Malaysian construction industry, most of them are not well structured, documented and implemented in a formal manner. Therefore, the idea of establishing the CIRIM framework among Malaysian contractors is paramount and justified.Keywords: Risk Management, Contractors, CIRIM, Construction, Malaysia

Conceptual Framework of Information Exchange Processes in Building Information Modelling (BIM) for Facilities Management

The current research demonstrates Building Information Modelling (BIM) as one of the emerging construction technologies in the industry. Nonetheless, the adoption of BIM for Facilities Management (FM) has not yet been acknowledged. FM in Malaysia is still driven by traditional processes in which flag its development and economic competitiveness. The probable reason is lacking understanding of information exchange in the BIM platform across the project life cycle. Hence, the objective of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework of information exchange processes in Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Facilities Management. A comprehensive review of the literature is employed in this research. The findings revealed the relationship between the information required by BIM in FM and the process for information exchange between BIM and FM systems emphasises four moderators as external factors, namely the FM information need to track, stakeholders’ responsibilities for data provision, equipment information export in COBie format in FM and import facilities data from the COBie spreadsheet into FM systems. The outcomes of this paper may assist stakeholders in optimising their present BIM requirements, increasing workflow efficiency, and expediting the effective adoption of BIM in Malaysia

Why Do Students Plagiarise? An empirical study on Built Environment Students Amidst Covid-19

Plagiarism has been battering higher education since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Hence, this research aimed to develop a model to elucidate the types, reasons and strategies to mitigate Plagiarism and misconduct in online examinations. The instrument employed for this research was an online questionnaire, and the study population was determined to be built environment students from five institutions of higher learning. A total of 308 survey forms were analysed using factor analysis, structural equation modelling (SEM) and content analysis. In addition, sixteen (16) case studies were presented and examined to validate the findings. Keywords: Modelling, Online Examination, Plagiarism, Online Examination eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2023. The Authors. Published for AMER & cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v8i24.462

Contractors’ Strategic Approaches to Risk Assessment Techniques at Project Planning Stage

Abstract — The construction industry is still plagued by poor quality, poor workmanship, poor safety and health environment, and poor practices. The current main problem in the Malaysian Construction Industry is delayed projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan. The idea of introducing formal risk assessment among Malaysian contractors during the project planning stage is a proactive approach to achieve project objectives. Therefore, this research intends to achieve the following objectives: (1) to investigate the contractors’ approaches of risk assessment techniques at the project planning stage, (2) to investigate the consequences of risk assessment techniques at the project planning stage, and (3) to determine the appropriate risk assessment techniques in dealing with the potential risk factors at the project planning stage. The research methodology applied for this research includes literature reviews and questionnaires. Findings from this research show that the application of risk assessment techniques in the Malaysian Construction Industry is still moderate. Hence, it is suggested that these contractors should try to implement formal risk assessment techniques during the project planning stage in order to achieve the project objectives

Contractors’ Approaches to Risk Management at the Construction Phase in Malaysia

Abstract - Often times, contractors failed to identify, plan, strategize, analyzed, execute, monitor, control and manage the risk involves during construction phase in Malaysia. Consequently, the contractor failed to complete the project on schedule, within client’s budget and quality. The idea of introducing formal risk management among Malaysian contractors during construction phase is seem to be a proactive approach to achieve the project objectives. This paper intends to identify the application of formal risk management among the contractors during the construction phase in Malaysia. Questionnaires and interviews were used. It was found that although the risk management process in Malaysian construction industry has been introduced, most of them are not well structured and not being implemented in a formal manner. Therefore, it is suggested that these contractors should try to implement formal risk management and hope that the construction industry in Malaysia can enjoy the benefits and lead our industry effectively into the next stage of building the nation