Factors affecting building infrmation modelling adoption by Malaysian consultans and contractors

The paradigm shift to Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the construction industry has transformed the construction process. BIM adoption requires strategic implementation and collaboration. The inherent benefits of this shift are gradually experienced in Malaysia. However, adoption of BIM in Malaysia is prone to resistance as experienced in construction industries across the globe. Construction professionals are awakened to challenges with the use of a new system which define their adaptability to the BIM push within the construction industry. This research develops a BIM adoption model which builds on people, process and technology factors affecting BIM into a higher order resource of BIM perception and strategic IT implementation (business process re-engineering and computer integrated construction) mediated by collaborative processes. Data was collected from three hundred and fifty two (352) construction professionals (architects, quantity surveyors, engineers and contractors) using questionnaires. Descriptive and multivariate analyses (Structural Equation Modelling) were used to assess the measurement and structural models developed. The model explained the variance in business process re-engineering, computer integrated construction, collaborative processes and BIM adoption. The results revealed an anathematised state of collaboration leading to significant decrease in BIM adoption rate. Seven (7) out of fourteen (14) hypothesised paths were statistically significant. BIM perception exhibited indirect effect on collaborative processes through strategic IT implementation. Business process re-engineering exhibited significant direct effect while computer integrated construction exhibited a significant indirect effect on BIM adoption. This result projects the prevalent factors affecting BIM adoption, highlights grey areas needing improvement and formulating policies to further enhance BIM adoption

Sudanese Small and Medium Sized Construction Firms: An Empirical Survey of Job Turnover

In construction industry, job satisfaction and job performance are important issues when studying the human behaviours and attitudes of personnel. This research is very important so as to understand what management needs to do in order to avoid personnel job turnover in the organization. The construction industry in Sudan faces a variety of problems relating to human resource efficiency which in turn affect the entire productivity in the industry. The objectives of this study are to view the job analysis of personnel in the Sudanese construction firms, identify the level of job satisfaction of personnel, and identify the level of job performance of personnel and to investigate the relationship between job satisfaction and job performance of personnel. Data was collected from personnel in six Sudanese construction firms through survey packets including a data form and modified version of the Job Satisfaction Index questionnaire (JSI) and Performance Rating Index questionnaire. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software and also Average Index. The study shows that there exist weaknesses in the job analysis of personnel. The level of job satisfaction and performance of personnel in Sudan was found to be on the ‘average’. The study also shows a positive relationship between personnel job performance and job satisfaction

Evaluation of Job Satisfaction and Performance of Employees in Small and Medium Sized Construction Firms in Nigeria

Employees of small and medium sized construction firms, job satisfaction and job performance are key issues when studying the human behaviors and attitudes. The Nigerian Construction Industry is faced with challenges of employee performance which is affecting the organization’s productivity, quality of work, duration of projects and finally on firm’s profits. This paper aims to perform job analysis of personnel in the Nigerian construction industry, identify the level of job satisfaction of employees in small and medium sized firms, and examine the level of job performance of personnel, to investigate the relationship between job satisfaction and job performance of employee. Data was collected from employees in Nigerian small and medium sized construction firms through questionnaire to access the perception towards the level of satisfaction and performance. The questionnaire is a modified version of the Job Satisfaction Index questionnaire (JSI) and Performance Rating Index questionnaire (PRI). The mean score analysis identified ranking for the factors significant to job satisfaction and performance, which found that satisfaction with coworkers ranked highest with a mean score of 3.62 while satisfaction with pay ranked the lowest with a mean score of 2.56. The Job performance ranking found that personnel appearance ranked highest with a mean score of 3.70 while satisfaction with propensity to leave the company ranked the lowest with a mean score of 2.46. The paper also found that there is positive relationship between overall job satisfaction and job performance in small and medium sized firms. Several variables on Job management showed significant differences

A study of electronic commerce adoption factors in Nigeria

The paradigm shift to e-commerce in business transactions provides significant advantages such as expanding markets, improving customer services, reducing costs, and enhancing productivity. The global phenomenon is less aggressive in developing economies where small and medium enterprises struggle to provide internet services at their own expense due to limited government support and infrastructural deficiency. The acceptance of e-commerce adoption among Nigerians is slow irrespective of the huge population which should be of an advantage. This study investigated the factors hindering the adoption of e-commerce among Nigerians. A quantitative approach through a survey method was utilised with a total of 150 questionnaires distributed to Nigerian post graduate students studying at a Malaysian university. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 16) was used to analyse the data. This study finds among others that poor infrastructural facilities are the major factors hindering e-commerce adoption among Nigerian

Promoting Malaysia medical tourism through MyCREST oriented retrofitted hospitals

Globally, Malaysia is recognized among the best destinations for medical tourism. According to Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), about 1,050,000 medical tourists across the globe visited Malaysia in 2017, generating over RM1 billion revenue for Malaysia. Nevertheless, previous studies have affirmed that majority of the existing hospitals used for medical tourism in Malaysia have not been evaluated with Green Building Assessment Tools (GBATs) such as the Malaysian Carbon Reduction and Environmental Sustainability Tool (MyCREST). This places uncertainty in the long term effect on sustainable ecosystems and eventual improvement in the medical tourist experience. Therefore, the aim of this conceptual paper is to develop MyCREST Oriented Retrofitting Framework (MORF), to reduce the environmental impact of existing hospitals, enhance the comfort, productivity, and health of the medical tourists in Malaysia. To achieve the aim, this research conducted a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of about 100 articles published in reputable journal within the last 3 decades (1987 – 20018). Also, the overarching MyCREST Reference Guide was evaluated via document analysis. This enabled the critical reflection and holistic understanding of the nexus between MyCREST embedded retrofitted hospitals and Malaysia medical tourism. As a result, a five-phase MORF: Hospital Project Set up and Pre-Retrofit Survey, Carbon Foot Print Auditing, MyCREST Oriented Retrofit, Implementation and Commissioning, and Validation and Verification was developed. The findings of this research will enhance the sustainable performance of existing hospitals, and enlighten the MHTC, construction experts, and other stakeholders on the importance of sustainable hospitals towards attracting more medical tourists to Malaysia

Bridging the gap between building information modelling education and practice : a competency-based education perspective

This study reports a case study that investigates the gap between BIM tertiary education and the building industry’s needs in New Zealand (NZ). In specific, it aims to (1) identify the industry’s requirements on BIM competencies, (2) examine the status quo of BIM tertiary education in NZ, and (3) identify and analyse the gaps between current BIM education and the industry’s needs. Data were collected through BIM job advertisement to identify the industry’s requirements of BIM competencies and top BIM uses. Data of thirty-three courses were also collected from nine tertiary institutions. Results indicated that there were discrepancies between the type and level (i.e. cognitive levels) of BIM competencies. It was indicated that missing links existed in almost all BIM uses that were taught, except 4D modelling. A large proportion of learning outcomes were focused on ‘understanding’ for several BIM uses, while NZ BIM Handbook requires higher levels of application and evaluation. To bridge the gaps, core competence sets should be determined by disciplines. BIM competencies can also be classified based on BIM uses, BIM processes and phases, and project roles. This paper proposed a conceptual framework, which suggests the way ahead towards future competency-based BIM education.acceptedVersionPeer reviewe

Confirmatory Strategic Information Technology Implementation for Building Information Modelling Adoption Model

Information technology (IT) developments in the construction industry require a proportionate response by construction professionals. Building information modelling (BIM) requires strategic changes to the traditional ways construction is carried out. BIM adoption in Malaysia is growing because of recent efforts to sensitise construction professionals on the need for strategic IT implementation. This paper builds on the theory of business process reengineering and computer integrated construction for a BIM adoption model. Data were collected from 352 construction professionals (architects, quantity surveyors, engineers and contractors). The data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18 for descriptive modelling and Analysis of Moment of Structures (AMOS) version 18 for structural equation modelling. Descriptive results showed a high prevalence of the need for BIM competent professionals. Multivariate results revealed a high correlation within the measurement model for business process re-engineering and computer integrated construction. The second-order confirmatory model showed that business process reengineering and computer integrated construction had a high impact on strategic IT Implementation. Overall, the model validated the conceptual framework of the impact of strategic IT implementation on the adoption rate of BIM in the perception of construction industry professionals in Malaysia. The result denotes the first part of the full adoption model, which can be compared with the adoption rate in other countries. Subsequent research using a diverse sample selection focuses on the mediating effect of collaboration on BIM adoption

Sudanese Small and Medium Sized Construction Firms: An Empirical Survey of Job Turnover

In construction industry, job satisfaction and job performance are important issues when studying the human behaviours and attitudes of personnel. This research is very important so as to understand what management needs to do in order to avoid pers01mel job turnover in the organization. The construction industry in Sudan faces a variety of problems relating to human resource efficiency which in tum affect the entire productivity in the industry. The objectives of this study are to view the j ob analysis of personnel in the Sudanese construction firms, identify the level of job satisfaction of personnel, and identify the level of job performance of personnel and to investigate the relationship between job satisfaction and job performance of personnel. Data was collected from personnel in six Sudanese constmction firms through survey packets including a data form and modified version of the Job Satisfaction Index questionnaire (JSI) and Performance Rating Index questionnaire. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software and also Average Index. The study shows that there exist weaknesses in the job analysis of personnel. The level of job satisfaction and performance of personnel in Sudan was found to be on the 'average'. The study also shows a positive relationship between personnel job performance and job satisfactio

Hypothesis analysis of building information modelling penetration in Malaysian Construction Industry

The demand pull for a more effective construction process within architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry continuous to transform design techniques from 2D, 3D and building information modelling (BIM). Leverage on IT pivotal for construction industry development has been earmarked by the Malaysian construction industry master plan (CIMP). BIM uptake by stakeholders in Malaysia construction industry is on a gradual increase. BIM generates and manage building data during its life cycle via threedimensional, real-time, dynamic building modelling. The model is dependent on collaborative contribution by project teams input at various stages. However, challenges such as people, process and technology impede an effective penetration rate in Malaysia. This paper presents a continuation of the theoretical framework developed, to further investigate the relationship for BIM penetration from perspectives of people, process and technology to strategic IT in construction and collaborative construction. The theorised hypotheses argue that strategic IT planning will invariably aid BIM penetration in the industry. The hypothesis will undergo structural equation modelling (SEM) to analyse the desired statistical power, test for close versus exact fit and complexity of the model. The findings will delineate the variables with predominant impact on BIM penetration and serves as a guide to policy making on BIM implementation in Malaysia