Facilities Management (FM) in Industrialized Building System (IBS) Projects in Malaysia: Challenges and Strategies for Improvement

Facilities management (FM) involves the amalgamation of organizational procedures towards upholding and developing services to better the efficiency of its core activities. FM plays a significant role for success in projects whereby it offers a better working environment, value for money, cost and risk management, etc. which is all important criteria for achieving a successful project. This paper, therefore through literature reviews, explores the elements of FM, its practices in the construction industry including in Malaysia from the perspective of IBS projects. Further to that, interviews were also conducted with five (5) experts of the Malaysian construction industry whereby each of them possesses a minimum of 10 years of working experience towards getting an insight into their understanding as well as to gain information from their vast experiences. They were also asked to highlight the challenges and difficulties that were faced as well as to propose ways forward to improve the scenario. In short, respondents generally had different point of view regarding the FM practices but agreed that the structural design of the building highly influences the building FM practices. The findings also showed that while conventional projects offer more opportunity to save cost; performing FM in IBS project makes maintenance works quicker although it also requires higher quality and lifelong span of services under efficient management. In overall, performing FM in IBS projects have its own advantages and downfalls which need to be well considered beforehand.

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Significant factors influencing outsourcing decision for facilities management (FM) services

Property Management ◽

10.1108/pm-04-2014-0018 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 59-82 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Dubem Ikediashi ◽

Onuwa Okwuashi

Keyword(s):

Point Of View ◽

The Body ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Facilities Management ◽

Content Type ◽

Body Of Knowledge ◽

Outsourcing Decision ◽

Practical Implications ◽

Insight Into ◽

Significant Factors

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate and conceptualise significant factors influencing decision to outsource facilities management (FM) services in Nigeria’s public hospitals. Design/methodology/approach – Data for this study were collected using a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. A total of 85 responses were received from the six states comprising the study area while 11 of them were discarded due to missing data resulting in 74 usable responses. This gave an overall response rate of 61 per cent. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics as well as principal component analysis. Findings – Findings revealed that 25 of the 31 factors were significant in explaining the decision to outsource FM service in Nigeria’s public hospitals; while 15 of them grouped into six broad categories were selected based on their factor loadings during further analysis. Besides, it was also established from the study that “to improve performance standard”, “to improve quality of services” and “to improve timely delivery of services” are the top three rated factors. Research limitations/implications – The study complements the body of knowledge on “make or buy” decision theory by provided empirical insight into key attributes of outsourcing decision motives for FM services from the point of view of Nigeria’s public sector spectrum that can serve as benchmark for deciding on whether to outsource or not. Practical implications – The study also has practical implications. More is now known as a result of this research about what factors constitute drivers for outsourcing FM services within the context of Nigeria’s public hospitals. With an aggregate opinion from 74 public hospitals, the study provides hospital administrators and public managers with a list of prioritised factors for making rational informed decision about outsourcing of services in the hospitals. Originality/value – The study complements the body of knowledge on “make or buy” decision theory by providing empirical insight into key attributes of outsourcing decision motives for FM services from the point of view of Nigeria’s public healthcare.

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The challenges of adopting new engineering contract: a Hong Kong study

Engineering Construction & Architectural Management ◽

10.1108/ecam-02-2018-0055 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (10) ◽

pp. 2389-2409 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Chung Him Lau ◽

Jayantha Wadu Mesthrige ◽

Patrick T.I. Lam ◽

Arshad Ali Javed

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Construction Industry ◽

Case Law ◽

Working Environment ◽

Public Works ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Content Type ◽

Industry Professionals ◽

Practical Implications ◽

Insight Into

Purpose Project delays and cost over-runs are few common major problems arising from conventional contracts. To overcome these issues, the Hong Kong Government has been practicing the use of the New Engineering Contract (NEC) forms in several public works projects. However, despite the successful outcomes and the positive signs of adopting NEC, it appears that NEC forms of contracts are not widely adopted in the Hong Kong construction industry even after 25 years of their first introduction. The purpose of this paper is to identify the challenges and barriers for not implementing NEC widely in Hong Kong. Design/methodology/approach Based on a questionnaire survey data collected from 45 senior industry professionals, and six semi-structured interviews, the study evaluated the perceptions of construction professionals as to why NEC is still not popular in the industry and reported the relative importance of challenges in the implementation of NEC in Hong Kong. Findings The results reveal that “People are not willing to change,” “Limited number of trained professionals” and “Insufficient case law and adjudication experience” are the most significant challenges and barriers in adopting NEC. These findings are also supported by the opinions of construction professionals through semi-structured interviews. Practical implications The findings are relevant and would benefit to the industry stakeholders for adopting NEC contracts by informing them of the most significant challenges so that proper strategies may be devised to overcoming them for early contractors’ involvement, controlling cost and time overruns in infrastructure projects. Originality/value The empirical evidence of the study provides an insight into the challenges faced by the construction industry of Hong Kong. NEC form of contract is the way forward in order to create a better working environment conducive for all the parties that would result in better construction project performance and productivity.

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Delays in construction works in Polish construction industry from the contractors’ point of view

MATEC Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/matecconf/201822201008 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 222 ◽

pp. 01008 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anna Kowalczyk ◽

Wiesław Meszek ◽

Mariusz Rejment ◽

Agnieszka Dziadosz

Keyword(s):

Construction Industry ◽

Questionnaire Survey ◽

Construction Project ◽

Point Of View ◽

Protective Measures ◽

Efficient Management ◽

Investment Process ◽

The Impact ◽

Construction Works

The construction industry is sensitive to changing random conditions that determine the occurrence of various disturbances during the construction investment process. These disturbances are the source of numerous delays during realization of the construction project. The identification of the reasons for delays and their impact on the progress of construction works allows for the efficient management of the construction project and planning of protective measures, which reduce the risk of their occurrence. The purpose of this article is to identify and then to assess, on the basis of the conducted questionnaire survey, the impact of disturbances on delays in construction works. In addition, the factors were ranked in terms of the degree of impact on the construction project by calculating the rank of the factor.

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Modern challenges in health and safety at construction industry

Bulletin of Science and Practice ◽

10.33619/2414-2948/40/32 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 262-271

Author(s):

R. Nurimbetov ◽

A. Zikriyoev

Keyword(s):

Construction Industry ◽

Production Efficiency ◽

Occupational Safety ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Point Of View ◽

Working Environment ◽

Construction Companies ◽

Risk Of Injury ◽

The Social ◽

The Impact

A part of the research on the impact and interrelation between human factors and the safety of the working environment in the construction sector is presented. Labor in construction companies is often associated with a high risk of injury and, therefore, occupational safety is an important element of production efficiency in this area. The injured workers lost working days and financial costs affect the social and economic efficiency of the construction industry. Statistics indicate that occupational health and safety for modern research are current issues. Economic reforms in Uzbekistan envisage the creation of favourable and safe working conditions. From this point of view, ILO standards (Health & Safety) are really relevant for research and implementation in the construction industry of Uzbekistan. The purpose of this article is to analyze the implementation of best practices in the construction industry of Uzbekistan.

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Application of the Subspace-Based Methods in Health Monitoring of Civil Structures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app10103607 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 3607

Author(s):

Hoofar Shokravi ◽

Hooman Shokravi ◽

Norhisham Bakhary ◽

Mahshid Heidarrezaei ◽

Seyed Saeid Rahimian Koloor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

System Identification ◽

Systematic Reviews ◽

Health Monitoring ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Civil Structures ◽

Literature Reviews ◽

Research Gap ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Subspace System Identification ◽

Insight Into

A large number of research studies in structural health monitoring (SHM) have presented, extended, and used subspace system identification. However, there is a lack of research on systematic literature reviews and surveys of studies in this field. Therefore, the current study is undertaken to systematically review the literature published on the development and application of subspace system identification methods. In this regard, major databases in SHM, including Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, have been selected and preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) has been applied to ensure complete and transparent reporting of systematic reviews. Along this line, the presented review addresses the available studies that employed subspace-based techniques in the vibration-based damage detection (VDD) of civil structures. The selected papers in this review were categorized into authors, publication year, name of journal, applied techniques, research objectives, research gap, proposed solutions and models, and findings. This study can assist practitioners and academicians for better condition assessment of structures and to gain insight into the literature.

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Customisation and Desirable Characteristics of a Standard Method of Measurement for Building Works in Ghana

Construction Economics and Building ◽

10.5130/ajceb.v8i2.3004 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 30-40 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Gabriel Nani ◽

Peter Edwards ◽

Theophilus Adjei-Kumi ◽

Edward Badu ◽

Peter Amoah

Keyword(s):

Construction Industry ◽

Standard Method ◽

The Other ◽

Opinion Survey ◽

British Standard ◽

Industry Practice ◽

Precision Industry ◽

Method Of Measurement ◽

Insight Into ◽

Methods Of Measurement

This paper reports a study that identified andcategorised the modifications to the 5thEdition of the British Standard Method ofMeasurement (SMM5) of building works inGhana. Typical modifications involved ‘costinsignificant items’, ‘minor labour items’,‘custom units of measurement’, ‘methodrelated items’, ‘combinable items’,‘subordinate items’, and ‘items of minorinformative impact’. It was also observed thatthe desirable characteristics/ qualities ofstandard methods of measurement (SMM) ofbuilding work were noteworthy, since theyprovide insight into the nature of a SMMrequired for the construction industry inGhana.The research reviewed available literature,various SMMs and bills of quantities (BQs).The relevance of the modifications andSMM characteristics identified wasconfirmed by a survey of the opinions ofprofessional quantity surveyors conductedthrough a carefully designed questionnaire.Inferences from the opinion survey formedthe basis for grouping both SMMmodifications found and the desired qualitiesof a SMM for Ghana.Survey respondents confirmed all theidentified modifications to the British SMM,except for the elimination of items of minorinformative impact. It was held that allinformation was relevant in measurement.Desirable characteristics of a SMM were ratedin decreasing order of relevance as: easylocation of items; cost significance; simplicity;thoroughness; ease of cost analysis; goodpractice; conciseness; adoptability; precision;industry practice; stakeholders’ opinion;custom classification; regional relevance; andinclusion of jargon. It was noted that therelevance of these characteristics may varyform one region to the other as a result oftechnological, cultural and legal differences.However, the desired SMM characteristicswere recommended as fundamental indeveloping an appropriate SMM for Ghana.

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Systemic Lupus Erythematosus before and after COVID-19 Lockdown: How the Perception of Disease Changes through the Lenses of Narrative Medicine

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9060726 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 726

Author(s):

Fulvia Ceccarelli ◽

Venusia Covelli ◽

Giulio Olivieri ◽

Francesco Natalucci ◽

Fabrizio Conti

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Narrative Medicine ◽

Good Control ◽

Final Analysis ◽

Point Of View ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Before And After ◽

Text Content ◽

Insight Into

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic contributes to the burden of living with different diseases, including Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). We described, from a narrative point of view, the experiences and perspectives of Italian SLE adults during the COVID-19 emergency, by distinguishing the illness experience before and after the lockdown. Methods: Fifteen patients were invited to participate. Illness narratives were collected between 22 and 29 March 2020 using a written modality to capture patients’ perspectives before and after the COVID-19 lockdown. We performed a two-fold analysis of collected data by distinguishing three narrative types and a qualitative analysis of content to identify the relevant themes and sub-themes reported. Results: Eight narratives included in the final analysis (mean length 436.9 words) have been written by eight females (mean age 43.3 ± 9.9 years, mean disease duration 13.1 ± 7.4 years). Six patients provided a quest narrative, one a chaos and the remaining one a restitution narrative. By text content analysis, we identified specific themes, temporally distinct before and after the lockdown. Before COVID-19, all the patients referred to a good control of disease, however the unexpected arrival of the COVID-19 emergency broke a balance, and patients perceived the loss of health status control, with anxiety and stress. Conclusions: We provided unique insight into the experiences of people with SLE at the time of COVID-19, underlining the perspective of patients in relation to the pandemic.

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A Case Study of a Negotiated Tender within a Small-to-Medium Construction Contractor: Modelling Project Cost Variance

Buildings ◽

10.3390/buildings11060260 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 260

Author(s):

James Ellis ◽

David John Edwards ◽

Wellington Didibhuku Thwala ◽

Obuks Ejohwomu ◽

Ernest Effah Ameyaw ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Construction Industry ◽

Study Data ◽

Review Literature ◽

Third Party ◽

Open Book ◽

Competitive Tendering ◽

Construction Contractor ◽

The Uk ◽

Insight Into

This research explores the failure of competitively tendered projects in the UK construction industry to procure the most suited contractor(s) to conduct the works. Such work may have equal relevance for other developed nations globally. This research seeks to teach clients and their representatives that “lowest price” does not mean “best value”, by presenting a case study of a successfully negotiated tender undertaken by a small-to-medium enterprise (SME) contractor; SME studies are relatively scant in academic literature. By applying the “lessons learnt” principle, this study seeks to improve future practice through the development of a novel alternative procurement option (i.e., negotiation). A mixed philosophical stance combining interpretivism and pragmatism was used—interpretivism to critically review literature in order to form the basis of inductive research to discuss negotiation as a viable procurement route, and pragmatism to analyse perceptions of tendering and procurement. The methods used follow a three-stage waterfall process including: (1) literature review and pilot study; (2) quantitative analysis of case study data; and (3) qualitative data collection via a focus group. Our research underscores the need to advise clients and their representatives of the importance of understanding the scope of works allowed within a tender submission before discounting it based solely on price. In addition, we highlight the failings of competitive tendering, which results in increased costs and project duration once the works commence on site. These findings provide new contemporary insight into procurement and tendering in the construction industry, with emphasis on SME contractors, existing relationships, and open-book negotiation. This research illustrates the adverse effects of early cost estimates produced without first securing a true understanding of project buildability and programming. Our work concludes with a novel insight into an alternative procurement option that involves early SME contractor involvement in an open-book environment, without the need for a third-party cost control.

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Sex Work in Slovenia: Assessing the Needs of Sex Workers

Sociological Research Online ◽

10.1177/13607804211018480 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 136078042110184

Author(s):

Leja Markelj ◽

Alisa Selan ◽

Tjaša Dolinar ◽

Matej Sande

Keyword(s):

Needs Assessment ◽

Sex Work ◽

Sex Workers ◽

Point Of View ◽

Social Distress ◽

Legal Advice ◽

The Law ◽

Client Relations ◽

Insight Into

The research comprehensively identifies the needs and problems of sex workers in Slovenia from the point of view of three groups of actors in a decriminalized setting. The objective of the rapid needs assessment was to identify the needs of sex workers as perceived by themselves. In order to gain a deeper insight into this topic, we analyzed the functioning of the organizations working with the population, and examined the perspective of the clients. The results of the study show that no aid programmes have been developed for sex workers, even though organizations from various fields often come in contact with this population. Sex workers express the need to be informed about various topics (health, the law, legal advice) and emphasize client relations as the primary issue. The findings indicate the need for the development of a specialized aid programmes to address the fields of advocacy, reducing social distress and providing psychosocial assistance.

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Testing of Automated Systems from the Safety Point of View

Marine Technology and SNAME News ◽

10.5957/mt1.1981.18.3.234 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 18 (03) ◽

pp. 234-244

Author(s):

John D. Vitkauskas ◽

John R. Peters

Keyword(s):

Test Procedure ◽

Coast Guard ◽

Point Of View ◽

Automated Systems ◽

Testing Procedures ◽

Procedure Guidelines ◽

Safety Systems ◽

Insight Into

The Coast Guard NVIC 1–69 has provided guidelines for the design of automated systems so that human surveillance can be reduced without jeopardizing the vessel. An integral part of these guidelines is the preparation of a Test Procedure which periodically tests the vital safety systems to increase the probability that they will function properly when called on. However, the Test Procedure guidelines are general and subject to wide interpretation. This paper attempts to provide some insight into what needs to be periodically tested, why the testing is required, and what techniques are acceptable, at the same time stressing the need for efficient testing. Some examples are also provided of testing procedures that have been found to be efficient and sufficiently comprehensive.

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