DEVELOPING QUESTIONNAIRE FOR POST GRADUATE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

Although questionnaires are widely used in construction management studies, designing the instrument has proven to be a difficult task among research students. This article explored the process of developing and testing questionnaires for construction management studies focusing on managing risks in Public Private Partnership (PPP) housing projects. The processes of developing questionnaire were grouped into four stages consisting of the background, conceptualization, design and instrument testing and administration. Using the processes identified, a flowchart indicating step-by-step stages for developing questionnaires was designed. Results of validity and reliability tests conducted on certain aspects of the questionnaire indicated that the instrument can be relied upon to generate acceptable data for scientific research. The main contribution of this paper is expanding the scope and simplifying the design of questionnaire among upcoming researchers in the field of construction management. This study recommends the design for students undertaking construction management related studies.

THE IMPLICATIONS OF GUARDED NEIGHBORHOOD ON HOUSING PRICES IN URBAN MALAYSIA

The research on gated communities has drawn considerable attention over the last three decades as researchers identify why certain social groups of people choose to live in a fortified neighborhood. Many scholars ranging from urban geographers, urban planning, anthropologist, urban economists, sociologists to urban politics have attempted to explore the reasons behind the proliferation of gated communities throughout the world. However, less research talked about the impacts of enclosure developments on housing prices, especially in developing countries like Malaysia. Therefore, this article will examine the various actors' perceptions of guarded neighborhoods' implications towards housing prices in urban Malaysia. This article found that various actors interviewed believe that guarded neighborhoods can improve the housing prices in Malaysia. This article contributes to the general understanding of Malaysia's guarded neighborhood and has multiple implications in terms of housing prices in enclosure developments.

THE DYNAMIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INFLATION AND NON-PERFORMING PROPERTY LOANS IN MALAYSIA

As costs of services and goods rise in Malaysia while income levels remain low and unemployment rises, there is significant concerns on the rising amount of non-performing property loans that seems to have a close relationship with inflation. Hence, it had been assumed by many where inflation leads to higher non-performing property loans, as a result of rising living costs that cause repayment defaults. In fact, recent findings from various countries across Asia had shown that higher levels of inflation tend to contribute positively to the increase of non-performing property loans. This study is to determine the effects of inflation on non-performing property loans in Malaysia during a unique economic period from 2010 to 2015, where NPLs, which had been declining since 2010 observed its first increase in 2015 after a consistent 5 year decline. This economic occurrence hence, offers a great opportunity of research into the economic observation of 2015 respectively. While there had been studies conducted on non-performing loans, there had been little light shed on the effects of inflation upon non-performing property loans specifically. The method adopted is applying Cointegration test and the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM), as well as Heteroskedasticity Tests, to validate the results in VECM. The results showed that there is a significant co-integration and relationship between non-performing property loans and inflation, lauding long run afflictions upon the real estate market which if not carefully monitored, may result in more property NPL delinquencies in Malaysia.

INITIATIVES FOR THE SAFETY OF PEDESTRIANS IN ASIAN COUNTRIES: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Walking is a standard communication mode around the world. Despite its' importance, walking facilities are less prioritized, and pedestrians are often prone to many accidents, which denotes the essence of pedestrians' safety. To date, very few studies focus on comparing safety initiatives in different countries. This literature review aims at presenting the initiatives taken for pedestrians' safety, specifically in Asian countries, where the pedestrian death rate is on the rise. With the keywords (initiatives, safety, pedestrians), databases (WoS, Scopus, Science Direct), eligibility and exclusion criteria for the systematic literature review, 20 articles are selected using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method. From the extracted data, initiatives taken for the safety of pedestrians are divided into two themes and eight sub-themes: for Specific Area (5 sub-themes) and Parts of Roadways (3 sub-themes). The result shows that most of the safety initiatives focused on different sections of roadways compared to the needs of areas specified for the respective affairs of a group of people. Also, regarding studies on safety initiatives, there is an insufficient exploration of safety measures for pedestrians by researchers. Thus, this study gives an idea of the initiatives prevailing for pedestrians' safety and the aspects that require special attention from the related authorities of different Asian countries. Researchers are recommended to conduct future research on sidewalk safety, adapt qualitative study and PRISMA method for improved systematic review reporting.

RECYCLING OF CONSTRUCTION TIMBER WASTE TO ENERGY : A CASE STUDY IN SWCORP

In recent years, there are increasing environmental issue due to the construction waste especially in Malaysia. Timber waste has covered two thirds percentage of the construction waste. Hence, potential on construction timber waste recycling to energy specifically in Malaysia under the states with solid waste managed by Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) is being studied. The research objectives are to investigate the improvement factors and current practices by the timber waste contractors in Malaysia. The study was conducted using a mixed method research approach to SWCorp officer, timber waste contractors and timber recycling center representatives to discover in depth the timber waste recycling to energy in Malaysia. The findings for the improvement factors from the current practices are authority enforcement, revenue from selling the timber waste, limitation of landfill spaces and public awareness. It is targeted that the research findings and recommendations will be useful for the waste authority, timber waste contractors and the public to reduce the timber waste being sent to landfill.

DESIGNING CASE STUDY RESEARCH IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

Research methodology is an important and indispensable element in research design. However, designing research strategy such as case study has proven to be a difficult task among research students. Case study is one of the most frequently used qualitative research methodology in the field of construction management; however the design and implementation of case study remains a complex and contentious issue among researchers. Consequently, many students select case study strategy without understanding the array of factors that can affect the outcome of their research. This paper presents a practical, experience-based, step-by-step guide to select, conduct and complete a case study research in construction management. The paper justifies the rationale for adopting case study, explored the various stages in designing case study spanning from the theoretical framework, constructing research themes, data collection and analysis through to validity and reliability issues. This paper contributes in expanding the knowledge of upcoming researchers in the built environment on the design, applications, advantages, disadvantages as well as limitations of case study in construction management researches. The study recommends the research design for students undertaking construction management related studies.

THE LOCATION, HOUSE, OR NEIGHBOURHOOD CHOICE PREFERENCES AMONG MALAYSIAN HOUSING GENERATIONS

Demographics and population have been evidenced as part of the key elements that affect property development. Changes in demographics specifically may influence the economy including the property market hence influences the generations. Behaviour and values divergences among various age groups (generations) resulted in a variance of housing choices and decisions made. The generations are the population categorised by the age cohort including the Baby Boomers, Generation X (Gen-X), Generation Y (Gen-Y) and Generation Z (Gen-Z). This study aims to offer a comprehensive overview of housing decisions via choices made between location, house, and neighbourhood between Malaysian generations. This study uses mixed methods approaches with the Selangor state as a case study. The Pair-wise and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methods of data analyses used for consumer behavioural decision-making studies were adopted in this study to determine the preferences of future housing choice between location, house and neighbourhood. The analysis uncovers house, location and neighbourhood as the prime housing choices factors of the Malaysian generations. The findings evidenced likeliness and differences of housing decision by generations on the choices made. Most importantly, the findings are significant in contributing better understanding and grant indications to the local authorities and housing developers on the main attraction factors of housing choice preferred by generations that may be very valuable for the enhancement of future Malaysian housing provisions.

A STUDY OF URBAN LIVEABILITY IN A CITY AND A SUBURBAN. CASE STUDY: KUALA LUMPUR AND PUNCAK ALAM, MALAYSIA.

Urban always being the main catalyst of growth in most of the countries. However, due to the high concentration of population, urbans encounter various challenges, i.e. environmental degradation, social unhealthiness, low sense of security, unhealthy lifestyle and traffic congestion. These phenomenon affect the liveability of urban dwellers. Liveability is affected by physical environmental and social aspects. A liveability study had been carried out in Kuala Lumpur city (with Mandy Villa as the study area) and a suburban (Puncak Alam). This paper is prepared with the aim to analyse the liveability of the residents in these areas and the relationship with the physical and social aspects. With a questionnaire survey, the respondents with diverse social and demographic background were mostly felt that the study areas were liveable. Relationship analysis via correlation tests showed that some of the physical aspects and most of the social aspects were positively and significantly related to the liveability level. With the research findings, urban managers, planners, private company and public agencies can come out with better strategies to improve the urban liveability. Nevertheless, more studies should be carried out in future for different locality for a better understanding of the urban liveability and the determining factors.

SUCCESS FACTORS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTIFICATION FOR GREEN PROJECT MANAGER (GPM) IN MALAYSIA

The paper aims to establish the success factors in promoting certified Green Project Managers (GPM) in Malaysia’s construction projects. A set of self-administered questionnaires through snowball sampling method was used to retrieve information among 30 respondents within various backgrounds which include project directors, general managers and project managers. Based on the analysis using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), this research has discovered that the main reason GPMs are highly needed in Malaysia’s construction industry is to ensure a successful delivery of green development goals. Nevertheless, this research found a number of challenges in promoting certified GPM, which include limited training for project managers that incorporates sustainability elements. This research found that training is significant to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge towards becoming certified GPM to date, a private sector organization known as Bridget is the sole provider of specific training for GPM in Malaysia. The respondents of this study are limited among project directors, general managers and project managers in the Klang Valley who are currently involved in green building projects. This paper fulfils the recognized need to study the success factors on the implementation of certification for Green Project Managers (GPM) in Malaysia.

DWELLING FIRE SAFETY EVACUATION (DFSE): A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Fire is an ignition of heat and smoke materials, which can pose a significant life and property threat. Residential fire in Malaysia has a high percentage of fire cases due to electrical sources, cooking appliances, defective of equipment, careless and negligence. Evacuation during fire is the most critical features in building safety. This includes the utilization of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in developing a good and efficient fire evacuation. This research paper aims to propose and established a conceptual framework of Dwelling Fire Safety Evacuation (DFSE). This paper utilizes the technique of systematic overview from previous research which includes journals, conferences proceedings, reports, framework and guidelines. The outcome of this paper consists the elements of dwelling fire safety evacuation including the element of Fire Scenarios (i.e., Fire characteristic, Building characteristic and Occupant characteristic), Influences Perceived Risk (i.e., Individual-Based, Physical and Social), Survival Strategy (i.e., extinguish, shelter and evacuation) and Safety (i.e., shortest time and awareness) which contributed to the development of the conceptual framework. These findings will assist the extended investigation of DFSE for accidental fire situations.