Client perspective towards application of industrialised building system in private construction projects

Abstract

Industrialised Building System (IBS) is well known in many developed countries due to the benefits that can be derived from its applications in construction projects. However, the low percentage of IBS usage may be due to lack of awareness and knowledge about IBS among many professionals, also there may be factors that contribute to lack of interest from the client towards IBS. The aim of this study is to improve the application of IBS, particularly in private construction projects in Malaysia by determining the current application of IBS in private construction projects, client perspective towards IBS application, and to propose the framework of success criteria for IBS adoption in private projects. In order to achieve these objectives, questionnaire survey and interview have been conducted. The developers were selected from Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (REHDA) website as the sample of respondents. The result indicates that, out of 35 responses, only 16 respondents (46 percent) stated their company has applied IBS in their construction projects, and only 12 respondents (34 percent) have been involved in IBS projects. Out of those 12 respondents, 9 respondents (75 percent) revealed they were satisfied with the performance of IBS projects based on their own experience. In general, respondents indicated high agreement on the identified IBS benefits, the factors of low application of IBS in private construction projects, and the success criteria to improve the IBS application. In the final part of the study, a framework of success criteria relationship for IBS adoption in private projects has been developed.