THE PROVISION OF INFRASTRUCTURE VIA PRIVATE FINANCE INITIATIVE

The infrastructure delivery worldwide has recently shifted to a new paradigm where the government as the public procurer begins to rely on the private sectors’ sources in providing assets and services at no cost to the government. This revolution ensues due to the government’s dilemma in handling various globalisation issues of the belt-tightening government’s budget, the escalated world oil prices, pressure in confronting abandoned public projects, intention in reducing government’s financial burdens as well as increased taxpayers’ demand on the quality of infrastructure assets and services. Thus, in facing those problems whilst maintaining the control over the infrastructure, an alternative procurement approach known as Private Finance Initiative (PFI) has been introduced. Nevertheless, history has proven that not all infrastructure assets or services are amenable to PFI, indeed experience in other jurisdictions has suggested that in some circumstances infrastructure provided via PFI can lead to poor public accountability, a reduction in competition as well as the development of monopolies. With the facts that different countries practise distinguished concepts and philosophies of PFI for their infrastructure provision based on the nature of their construction industry as well as different countries necessitate diverse types of infrastructure for their nation’s development of their, the urgency of determining the principles of infrastructure to be provided via PFI is significant. Therefore, this study investigates the features and characteristics of infrastructure that is suitable to be provided via PFI with the particular references to Malaysia’s construction industry as Malaysia’s version of PFI emerges in unique forms e.g. DBFO (Design, Build, Finance, Operate), BOO (Build, Own, Operate), BOOST (Build, Own, Operate, Subsidise, Transfer) and BOL (Build, Operate, Lease). Although the Malaysia’s version of PFI is theoretically claimed as merely prompt in providing selected economic infrastructure for both physical assets and services, this study demonstrates that Malaysia’s PFI is also duly implemented for social infrastructures.Malaysia, Private Finance Initiative (PFI), Infrastructure.

BENCHMARKING THE PERFORMANCE OF MALAYSIA’S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Malaysia’s construction industry particularly the provision of public infrastructure projects faces various debatable issues of the government’s belt-tightening budget, abandoned public projects, shoddy workmanship, over-budgeted project procurement and unresolved debts in public project provision. The current global economic downturns as well as the fluctuation in the oil prices worldwide have exacerbated the situation. Thus, in materialising the efficiency, accountability for performance, productivity and monetary policy set in confronting those controversial issues, several actions have been undertaken by Malaysian government including strengthening approval procedures, restructuring the implementation process, enhancing viability through risk distribution, reinforcing the institutional and regulatory framework as well as increasing Bumiputera participation in public infrastructure projects. Yet, these endeavours seem not to be the best solution in tackling those problems. Hence, there is a need of benchmarking the performance of Malaysia’s construction industry especially the provision of public infrastructure projects by clearly stipulating the standard regular evaluation and audition through a performance measurement technique known as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). This paper provides a literature review of the philosophical, conceptual and functions of KPIs in improvising Malaysia’s construction industry performance. The literature will guide the development of KPIs for the assessment of public infrastructure project provision in Malaysia which forms the major part of the research undertaken.Benchmark, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Public Infrastructure Provision, Malaysia

Modeling of Traceability Information System for Material Flow Control Data.

This paper focuses on data modeling for traceability of material/work flow in information layer of manufacturing control system. The model is able to trace all associated data throughout the product manufacturing from order to final product. Dynamic data processing of Quality and Purchase activities are considered in data modeling as well as Order and Operation base on lots particulars. The modeling consisted of four steps and integrated as one final model. Entity-Relationships Modeling as data modeling methodology is proposed. The model is reengineered with Toad Data Modeler software in physical modeling step. The developed model promises to handle fundamental issues of a traceability system effectively. It supports for customization and real-time control of material in flow in all levels of manufacturing processes. Through enhanced visibility and dynamic store/retrieval of data, all traceability usages and applications is responded. Designed solution is initially applicable as reference data model in identical lot-base traceability system

Recognition of nonrandom patterns on supply performance by employing statistical monitoring

This paper introduces a practical methodology of assign able signals and Run chart tests for identification of nonrandom patterns of supplier performance by statistical monitoring. The assumption of normal distribution is one of the important factors to implement a control chart in industry and service. It is supposed that natural data shows lack of any nonrandom pattern signals or out of control points on control chart. The data of supplier’s on-time delivery for automotive industry has been gathered and illustrated on control chart by employing appropriate transformation and assignable signals and run chart were tested on the control chart accordingly. The results show that tests were able to identify nonrandom patterns of supplier performance data. Out of control signals were removed from the control chart and show that on-time delivery performance was increased accordingly. The control chart with natural pattern can be used as pilot for monitoring supplier delivery over time and improve supplier delivery performance

Implementation of quality management in the manufacturing industry

This study is a research programme on the implementation of quality management in the manufacturing industry culminating in an implementation framework detailing the order in which certain tools and techniques should be implemented. It is intended as a guideline to the industry in general and to the small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular. Many companies, especially SMEs, are confused and unable to decide where to start, what and when to implement certain tools and techniques in their total quality journey. With a quality initiatives' implementation plan, the short and long term training needs are automatically identified and its implementation mechanisms designed. It is acknowledged that given the uniqueness of each potential organisation, there is a need for a customised implementation through the critical diagnosis of its present strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The study involved designing of a postal-survey questionnaire and mailing it to 1800 manufacturing companies in the Republic of Ireland. Questions were designed to capture information about the quality management practices and business results from supplier to manufacturing system to customer. Variables were categorised into seven items as used in the Malcolm Baldrige 1997 award criteria and scored using the scoring system practised by the award. The key findings point to the existence of a linear relationship between practice and performance. From the perspective of competitive advantage, firms are better off being big rather than small and with foreign partnership. Competitive sectors and those with larger export markets have better quality management practices and resulting performance are above industry average. Accreditation to ISO 9000 shows immediate short-term tangible benefits

Quantifying suppliers' product quality: an exploratory product audit method

The quality of the raw material and supplied product from suppliers plays a critical role in the quality of the final product. It has become the norm that vehicle manufacturers require their suppliers to measure product quality and service with a product audit method. Measuring quality of product is emphasised by QS9000 VDA6.5 and ISO/TS16949. From a competitive standpoint, and also to see continuous improvement in business, companies need to monitor their suppliers performance. Quality and delivery are two very important indicators of supplier performance. This paper presents a statistical method for measuring the quality of supplied product. This method allocates different weights to variables and attributes characteristics. Moreover, following normal distribution, the tolerance zone is divided to three regions with different scores. Therefore, the quality of suppliers products can be monitored based on the Product Quality Audit Score (PQAS). However, this method may be employed for organisations to monitor their raw material, work-in-process parts, and final product. It can be an indicator to monitor supplier quality behaviour

Material selection based on ordinal data

Ranking and choosing the best material is one of most important stages in material selection process. Using linear assignment method, the multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approach is proposed in decision-making process to rank the materials for a given engineering component with respect to several criteria. The proposed material selection procedure is relatively simple, and can be a useful approach when material selection problem includes qualitative properties or user-interaction aspects. The suggested approach also can be use for quantitative properties. Three examples are included to demonstrate the suggested method. Result of proposed approach showed good agreement with other methods

Tumour markers assay serum CA125 and Ca153. A preliminary report of USM experience

Cancer is one of the most important medical problems in today's world and in Malaysia it is one of the leading causes of death.Although development of cancer takes a considerable amount of man's life span, it is however possible to detect its early pre-cancerous stage.Death due to cancer may be avoided if detected early and this is usually done by biochemical measurement of tumour markers. Tumour Markers are substances which are related to the presence or progress of a tumour. They include proteins such as enzymes and peptides which are secreted into body fluids by tumours and antigens which are expressed on cell surfaces.In contrast, tumour markers also play a critical role in the monitoring and treatment of patients with cancer. The method employed for this preliminary/pilot study is based on ELISA technique. The CA 125 enzyme immunoassay kit was purchased from TECO USA which uses a monoclonal antibody.It is specific for surface antigen derived from a papillary serous cyst adenocarcinoma. Elevated CA 125 serum levels are also found in patient with serious endometrium and fallopian tube

New process capability index using Taguchi loss functions

Classic process capability indices such as Ca, Cp and Cpk are well-known process capability indices, which are using widely. Since, process capability indices predict the capability of a process, they must have a significant relation with rate of rejects and losses. Studies showed that mostly process capability indices do not have a significant relation with rate of rejects or losses. Therefore, the loss-based indices are more appropriate and suitable indices to predict the capability of a process. In order to define a new loss-based process capability index, Taguchi loss functions were employed and this study proposed a novel process capability index called Taguchi-based Process Capability Index (TPCI). The methodology of this process capability index is based on standard rate of rejects for a capable process compared to other cases. Therefore, this study develops a new process capability index, which is Taguchi loss function-based and sensitive to losses. This new process capability index can provide a realistic and applicable metric to evaluate a process