Confirmatory factor analysis of the life cycle costing sub-cost distribution for industrialised building system using sem-pls

Abstract

Industrialised Building System (IBS) contributes a great shift in sustainable construction, however previous studies have proven that one of the hindrances in promoting sustainable in IBS, is a high cost for pre-cast material components, thus effected the overall cost. In addition, the introduction of Life Cycle Costing (LCC) leads in providing a better and comprehensive cost estimation; as well as provides a significant advantage in the preparation of cost estimates, hence it provides a better baseline for decision making. The lacking application of LCC in IBS is still in trivial impact, where Malaysia experiences a slower progress of IBS construction, even though robust steps has been taken by the Government to influence construction players to accommodate LCC in projecting a comprehensive cost estimates, especially for IBS projects. This paper highlights an outcome of study that simulate the causal effect relationship between IBS Cost Factors and LCC Cost Distribution. A questionnaire survey was used to associate the IBS cost factors and LCC cost distribution and followed by Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) analysis which validate the relationships between the factors. The result of analysis was developed based on findings from 102 responded questionnaires which were distributed to Quantity Surveyors from various agencies. There were 5 LCC cost distribution factors used in this research and 43 IBS Cost Factors to get associated with. SEM-PLS was used to eliminate the cost association by eliminating factors recorded a loading value less than 0.70. From 43 IBS Cost Factors used earlier, only 15 cost factors were retain for further analysis and the development of a cost estimates using LCC approach. The outcome of this analysis is expected to guide the construction players to achieve more practical cost estimates and feasible alternatives for decision making in IBS construction, by focusing on the critical cost contributed to the overall cost of IBS project in Malaysia.