Exploring green office building choices by corporate tenants in Malaysia

Abstract

This paper aims to explore corporate tenants’ considerations for office space choices at green office buildings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This study focuses on the office choice perspectives between corporate tenants at two main locations in Kuala Lumpur’s business districts. The study then considers how these perspectives are similar and different amongst the various types of corporate tenants. This research is based on existing literature and semi-structured interviews that examined several themes in the context of leasing purpose-built green office buildings. Using a qualitative approach involving semi-structured interviews along with desk research, this paper explores how the different profiles of corporate tenants of green office buildings that are located at different locations in Kuala Lumpur portray varying considerations for green office building choices. The responses gathered from the interviews revealed differing aspects of considerations. The various types of tenant organisations place varying importance on several themes that have emerged which include location, finance and cost, building features, health and well-being, image and branding and social corporate responsibility (CSR). Although the sustainability aspects are perceived to add value to the business for the tenants’ organisations, the office buildings’ choice can be influenced by the company’s profile and size and the structure of the business which will eventually influence the decision to occupy green office buildings. As highlighted by an earlier study, the company policy in relation to the sustainability strategy of the organisation that meets the business needs also plays a role in green office building choices. These findings could be significant to green office providers in anticipating the future demand for green office buildings which in turn would contribute towards the achievement of the sustainable development goals of cities in Malaysia.