Aini Jaapar

The application, benefits and challenges of retrofitting the existing buildings

Sustainable development has been the main topic of debate for years in some countries such as United Kingdom, United State of America and Malaysia. Depletion of natural resources, global warming, economics uncertainty and health issues are some of the reasons behind sustainable development movements, it is not just a political debate in the parliament but more towards collective works among sectors in order to minimizing the negative impact of development to the environment and other living organism. Retrofit an existing building is one of the solutions to reduce the dependency on constructing new buildings. There are huge numbers of existing building stocks that suitable to be retrofitted such as historical buildings, offices, residential, warehouse, factories, vacant buildings and other historical buildings. Therefore, the aim of this research is to provide information on the application, benefits and challenges of retrofitting an existing building. Two buildings were chosen as case studies following by site visits and observation to the buildings. The data were then compared in a table form. Primary and secondary sources were also used for this research. The application of retrofit should be promoted across the construction and conservation industries since it has significant tangible and intangible benefits. It is one of the most environmentally friendly and efficient solutions to optimize the energy performance and could also helps to extend the life of the existing building or historical buildings while ensuring optimum thermal comfort for the occupants which leads to higher productivity.

HRM Practices and Organizational Performance: A Conceptual Model on the Performance of Acquiring Companies

The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework in investigating the influence of human resource management (HRM) practices integration on the organizational performance of acquiring companies in Malaysia. A conceptual model was developed using resource-based view (RBV) to describe several concepts, namely, HRM practices which are used to support its relationship with organizational performance. Based on the variables engaged, it is argued that HRM practices are the most important element to be well integrated in the merger and acquisition process specifically in post phase in order to improve organizational performance. The paper is limited to a study that may have further implication for research by using a model to investigate the importance of HRM practices integration in merger and acquisition context. The findings will be useful to top management to design their HRM practices within a strategic condition in order to improve the performance of acquiring companies. This paper contributes to the existing literature of HRM specifically in merger and acquisition context.

Linking Entry Timing (ET) and Entry Mode (EM) Decisions in International Market Expansion by Malaysian Construction Firm: Toward the Development of ETEM Model

Neglecting to properly choose the right combination of entry mode and entry timing strategies can lead to poor performance in international business ventures. The paper focuses on the linking of entry timing (ET) and entry mode (EM) decisions and the factors influencing both decisions. By consolidating the findings for both entry decisions, an ETEM model to guide the construction firms to access the targeted markets will be developed. The questionnaire surveys were sent to 115 Malaysian construction firms listed under Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia with 39.1 % response rate. The logistic regression (LR) model revealed that the majority of construction firms have chosen to be the late movers (LMs). Factor analysis carried out shows that the factors significantly influenced the firms’ entry timing decision as LMs are the firm’s international experience, level of knowledge, research and development intensity, competencies in project management, specialist expertise and technology, and financing capacity. The multinomial logistic regression (MLR) model has shown that majority of the construction firms preferred both equity (EQ) and non-equity (NEQ) entry modes. The factor analysis revealed that the factors that significantly influenced the firms’ entry mode decisions to choose both types of entry mode are the firm’s management of quality and risk attitudes, strong resources, experience in similar works, ability to assess market signals and opportunities, superior management and organizational dynamic capabilities, availability of partner/alliance, and existence of strict time limitations. The consolidation of findings shows that the majority of the Malaysian construction firms were the late movers, and they preferred both EQ and NEQ entry modes. Hence, this study contributes to an improved understanding of particular relationships that exist between the entry timing and entry mode decisions made by firms into international market.

Retrofitting as an Environmental Hybrid Approach (EHA) in Conservation Works on Historical Buildings in Malaysia

Historical buildings bring out the symbols of history, memories, social and culture of a place as well as representing the economic standard of the local people. It can be seen from the architecture style of the building, size and material used. That is why it is very important for us to preserve and conserve it not only for county’s heritage and legacy but also making them as tourist attractions. Therefore, this paper is aim to identify the potential of retrofitting mechanism as Environmental Hybrid Approach (EHA) in conservation works on the historical buildings as well as to investigate students perception on retrofitting mechanism. Triangulation methods were used for this research. Retrofitting means fitting in new mechanism that was not installed during first construction. It can be adapted as cross-integrated mechanism and can be use in architecture sector. By retrofitting, the vacant historical building can be reused back for new purpose such as an office or theater that can be use to generate income while maintaining the historical values of the original historical building. Practically, this method also brings positive impact to the environment. Retrofitting is consider as an Environmental Hybrid Approach (EHA) in conservation works of historical buildings due to the facts that it use less new materials for new construction by reuse and re-enhancement back original material from historical building, reduce the production of construction waste thus minimizing negative impact to the environment. Retrofitting mechanism also undergo shorten construction period, hence it use less energy, less construction workers on-site and able to reduce the total cost construction compare to conventional construction.

Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat Attributes of Malaysian Construction Firms in International Market

Competitive and saturated construction markets has led many domestic firms to expand internationally. Hence, the firms must adopt a superior and an effective strategy in order to endure the increasing dynamics and uncertainties in the foreign markets. In the early stage of strategic planning, one of the basic but important steps is to identify the strength, weakness, opportunity and threat (SWOT) attributes of the firms before they expand internationally. This process is very crucial to help the firms to manage and ease the inherent complexities and difficulties within international market domain. In this study, survey questionnaires were sent to 109 Malaysian construction firms listed under Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) with 21 % response rate. Relative importance index (RII) was used to rank the SWOT attributes. The findings revealed the following ranked attributes: Strengths—project management skill, financial strength and specialist expertise; Weaknesses—shortage of financial resources, shortage of labor and material resources and lack of research and development; Opportunities—increased in profitability, opening up new market and accessibility to new service areas; Threats—inflation and currency fluctuations, policy, law and regulations of host country and increase of interest rate. This study illustrates the identification of the most important SWOTs that exist in international construction operations. Hence, the findings would offer valuable information and practical guidance to construction firms in their preparatory works to internationalize.

The needs of having a paradigm shift from public sector to private sector on funding digitizing management work of historical buildings in Malaysia

In Malaysia, the government agencies that handle the management of historical buildings are finding themselves facing a shortage of funds to provide the necessary work on digitalising management works. Due to the rising cost of management, which also covers maintenance and infrastructure works, there is a need for a paradigm shift from public sector to private sector provision on infrastructure and management works. Therefore the government agencies need to find the suitable mechanism to encourage private sector especially the private property and developers to take part in it. This scenario has encouraged the authorities to look new ways of entering into partnership and collaboration with the private sector to secure the continuity of provision and funding. The paper first reviews the different approach to facilitate off-site local management system of historical buildings and then examines options for both private and public funding in digitalising the historical buildings management works by interviewing government officer, conservator and member of nongovernment agencies. It then explores how the current system of management may adopt the shift to avoid any vulnerability and threat to the existing historical buildings. This paper concludes with a short summary of key issues in management works of historical buildings and recommendations.

Value management in Malaysia: a comparison with the UK practices

Value management (VM) is a strategic and innovative approach that is organised in a systematic way to develop and compare alternatives with the aim to identify the best course of action to achieve the greatest value. The techniques of VM, which was originated from the USA in the mid-1940s have passed the test of time and currently being applied worldwide across various industries. VM in the UK has reached its maturity level and has been widely accepted within the construction industry, while in Malaysia, this technique is still unpopular. This paper presents an investigative study focussing on the VM practices, methodology and techniques used currently in the UK and Malaysia. Understanding the similarities, differences and experiences between these two countries shall provide insights into why the application of VM has been widely accepted in the UK and what the Malaysians can do to emulate from the UK experiences for greater VM implementation in the near future.