Roshana Takim

Critical factors contributing to corruption in construction industry

Corruption in construction is a fiduciary crime that is believed to slowly penetrate the construction sectors in countries around the world. It that can reduce the efficiency, effectiveness and equity of infrastructure services that resulted in construction projects that is unnecessary, unsuitable, and defective. In order to control effectively the level of corruption in construction, the critical factors of corruption in construction need to be correctly diagnosed. Hence, the objective of this paper is to review the critical factors of corruption in construction by various researchers across the globe. The initial findings based on purely literature reviews suggest that critical factors could be divided into direct and indirect factors that affect the supply and demand for corrupt activities. Meanwhile, environment, individual and international firm factors are also seen to be critical. Individual attitude, laws and regulations and administrative control are also imperative factors critical to corruption in construction.

Tracking architectural defects in the Malaysian hospital projects

Building defects are always the key concern in the construction projects. Defects represent not only a loss to the project but also hamper the smooth running of the building when in operation when completed. Recognising the need to resolve the continuing problem of defects in their projects, the clients of public hospital projects in Malaysia piloted a scheme to manage defects in public hospital projects during the Defects Liability Period (DLP). This paper presents part of the research which investigates what can be drawn from the analysis of architectural defects in these projects. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods was adopted. The findings suggest that with a proper methodology in place, there is much that can be learnt from the studying the cause of the defect. This can provide very useful insights to their root cause and how this can avoided in future projects.

Green Highway for Malaysia: A Literature Review

This paper reviewed on the green highway definition and green highway terminology to improve knowledge and awareness of green highway for highway construction projects. Moreover, this paper discussed briefly on the rating system for green highway by highlighting various eight rating systems for green highway. This study adopted the secondary data from previous research and findings on green highway construction from all over the world. With regard to published articles on green highways, the outcome of the paper will examine several major issues in green highway which are the definition of green highway, terminology used for green highway aspects, green highway initiatives and green highway rating systems from all over the world.

Contractors' strategic approaches to risk assessment techniques at project planning stage

The construction industry is still plagued by poor quality, poor workmanship, poor safety and health environment, and poor practices. The current main problem in the Malaysian Construction Industry is delayed projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan. The idea of introducing formal risk assessment among Malaysian contractors during the project planning stage is a proactive approach to achieve project objectives. Therefore, this research intends to achieve the following objectives: (1) to investigate the contractors approaches of risk assessment techniques at the project planning stage, (2) to investigate the consequences of risk assessment techniques at the project planning stage, and (3) to determine the appropriate risk assessment techniques in dealing with the potential risk factors at the project planning stage. The research methodology applied for this research includes literature reviews and questionnaires. Findings from this research show that the application of risk assessment techniques in the Malaysian Construction Industry is still moderate. Hence, it is suggested that these contractors should try to implement formal risk assessment techniques during the project planning stage in order to achieve the project objectives.

Measuring absorptive capacity in technology transfer (TT) projects

The conceptualisation of absorptive capacity in technology transfer (TT) in construction organisations could occur simultaneously, involving the flow of imported technology (i.e., knowledge, skills and tools) via construction projects. The absorptive capacity is the ability of the firm to assimilate imported technology, depending on their organisational technological capabilities. There are numerous studies concerning absorptive capacity, but little empirical research has been conducted on how to measure the absorptive capacity of TT via construction projects into organisations. This paper aims to investigate and review different models of measuring absorptive capacity of TT projects from several industries (i.e., manufacturing, construction and finance) to capture the critical variables for a successful transaction of absorptive capacity within organisations. Based on the consideration of these models, the paper proposes a conceptual framework for measuring absorptive capacity in TT projects. The framework emphasises the two-key components: employees ability and motivation which are measured through performance appraisal, employees training, performance-based compensation, and merit based promotion. The goal of TT is to measure the level of absorptive capacity in the form of knowledge, skills and tools via construction projects to improve local technological capabilities for construction organisations.

Content validity of governing in Building Information Modelling (BIM) implementation assessment instrument

BIM governance assessment instrument is a process of analysing the condition of the importance in developing BIM governance solution to tackle most of the existing problems during team collaboration in BIM-based projects. Despite the development and deployment of integrative and collaborative technologies in construction industry particularly BIM, the industry is still insufficient compare to other sectors. Several studies have been established the requirements of BIM implementation concerning all technical and non-technical BIM adoption issues. However, the data are regarded as inadequate to develop a BIM governance framework. Hence, the objective of the paper is to evaluate the content validity of the BIM governance instrument prior to the main data collection. Two methods were employed in the form of literature review and questionnaire survey (8 content experts). Based on the literature review, 273 items with six (6) main constructs are suggested to be incorporated in the BIM governance instrument. The CVR scores revealed that 202 out of 273 items are considered as the utmost critical by the content experts. The findings for I-CVI and modified kappa coefficient however revealed that 257 items in BIM governance instrument are appropriate and excellent. The instrument is highly reliable and the items selected are appropriate.

The Integration of ASRC System within BIM

Technically, safety planning and project execution planning has been carried out separately for most BIM-based projects. As such, it leads to difficulties in monitor these planning simultaneously during construction phase. In this regards, the Automated Safety Rule Checking (ASRC) system is perceived to distinguish fall hazards by integrating the system in the existing BIM-model. This paper pursues to explore the integration of ASRC system within BIM-based projects in Malaysia. A cross-sectional survey was employed to large public and private organisations that involved with BIM. The data were analysed by using content analysis technique and revealed that ASRC system is yet to be incorporated into BIMbased projects in Malaysia.

Notice of Retraction Transparency initiatives (TI) of construction industry of Malaysia

Transparency is one of the practical measures taken to curtail corruption. It is about the sharing of information of government decisions and activities, good record management and access to information. Whereas, integrity provides the basis for transparency and accountability since integrity is referred to as honesty and trustworthiness in the discharge of official duties, serving as antithesis to corruption. Corruption is a fiduciary crime that is believed to slowly penetrate the construction sectors in countries across the globe. Hence, the aim of this paper is to investigate transparency initiatives of construction industry by identifying various strategies to eradicate corruption in the Malaysian construction industry. The methodology used for this research is based on qualitative research technique and the methods are two-folds: (1) preliminary interview, and (2) a well-planned brainstorming workshop. The findings revealed that nine (9) initiatives were taken based on the notion of integrity that can be divided into behavioural and technical issues. These are: Code of Ethics (CoE) for contractors, Integrity program, Bina Integriti journal, Code of Business Ethics for Construction Industry (for SMEs), CIDB reporting and sanctioning structure, Core Values, Legal and Enforcement, Integrity Pacts (IP), and Integrity Role Model. These initiatives are regarded as fundamental efforts in educating and creating awareness to the industry players despite a more drastic strategy could be considered by the construction industry for a more significant results.

Transparency initiatives (TI) of construction industry of Malaysia

Transparency is one of the practical measures taken to curtail corruption. It is about the sharing of information of government decisions and activities, good record management and access to information. Whereas, integrity provides the basis for transparency and accountability since integrity is referred to as honesty and trustworthiness in the discharge of official duties, serving as antithesis to corruption. Corruption is a fiduciary crime that is believed to slowly penetrate the construction sectors in countries across the globe. Hence, the aim of this paper is to investigate transparency initiatives of construction industry by identifying various strategies to eradicate corruption in the Malaysian construction industry. The methodology used for this research is based on qualitative research technique and the methods are two-folds: (1) preliminary interview, and (2) a well-planned brainstorming workshop. The findings revealed that nine (9) initiatives were taken based on the notion of integrity that can be divided into behavioural and technical issues. These are: Code of Ethics (CoE) for contractors, Integrity program, Bina Integriti journal, Code of Business Ethics for Construction Industry (for SMEs), CIDB reporting and sanctioning structure, Core Values, Legal and Enforcement, Integrity Pacts (IP), and Integrity Role Model. These initiatives are regarded as fundamental efforts in educating and creating awareness to the industry players despite a more drastic strategy could be considered by the construction industry for a more significant results.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Transparency initiatives (TI) of construction industry of Malaysia

Transparency is one of the practical measures taken to curtail corruption. It is about the sharing of information of government decisions and activities, good record management and access to information. Whereas, integrity provides the basis for transparency and accountability since integrity is referred to as honesty and trustworthiness in the discharge of official duties, serving as antithesis to corruption. Corruption is a fiduciary crime that is believed to slowly penetrate the construction sectors in countries across the globe. Hence, the aim of this paper is to investigate transparency initiatives of construction industry by identifying various strategies to eradicate corruption in the Malaysian construction industry. The methodology used for this research is based on qualitative research technique and the methods are two-folds: (1) preliminary interview, and (2) a well-planned brainstorming workshop. The findings revealed that nine (9) initiatives were taken based on the notion of integrity that can be divided into behavioural and technical issues. These are: Code of Ethics (CoE) for contractors, Integrity program, Bina Integriti journal, Code of Business Ethics for Construction Industry (for SMEs), CIDB reporting and sanctioning structure, Core Values, Legal and Enforcement, Integrity Pacts (IP), and Integrity Role Model. These initiatives are regarded as fundamental efforts in educating and creating awareness to the industry players despite a more drastic strategy could be considered by the construction industry for a more significant results.