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"Low, Sui Pheng"
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Lean facilities management: preliminary findings from Singapore’s international schools
Purpose
Lean has been adopted in various industries (i.e. construction, health care and service) over the years; the level of lean adoption in facility management is relatively unknown. The purpose of this study is to analyze the 14 lean management principles (LMPs) and seek to develop an understanding as to whether LMPs, which are most commonly used by the manufacturing companies, are relevant to the facility personnel’s scope of work. The research scope focuses on international schools located in Singapore.
Design/methodology/approach
For the purpose of this study, a conceptual framework that focuses on connecting the 14 lean production principles to facility management has been developed. Questionnaire survey and interviews were used. A total of 30 facilities professionals from eight international schools participated in the survey. Six interviews were followed up to gain deeper insights into the extent of lean importance and implementation in the work of facility personnel in a school environment.
Findings
The survey findings revealed that P8 “use of reliable technology”, P9 and P10 relating to leadership and people development, P12 “go and see for yourself” and P14 “continuous improvement” are generally perceived more important than the other LMPs and are also well implemented. On the contrary, P3 “use the ‘pull’ system” is considered the least important principle. The interview findings also offer insights into modifications of some LMPs for the facilities management (FM) sector.
Research limitations/implications
There are several limitations affecting this study. First, the research sample size was small. Only 30 respondents participated in this study. Second, as this study is one of the first to explore the applicability of lean in FM, there is no consensus on how to define lean, which means that the LMPs could be interpreted in many ways.
Originality/value
The adoption of lean in FM can potentially optimize the value of the school organization. It is recommended that more research be conducted, resulting in a more holistic and representative study of the applicability of lean FM.
Journal Article
Receptiveness of Young Singaporeans Towards Smart Features in Public Residential Buildings (SPRBS): Drivers and Barriers
The development of smart and sustainable cities (SSCs) is a global focus to ensure cities remain resilient in a challenging environment. In Singapore, various initiatives have been introduced to maintain its competitiveness as an SSC. This study investigates the drivers and barriers affecting the receptiveness of young Singaporeans (aged 18 to 35) towards smart features in public residential buildings (SPRBs). Questionnaires were distributed to young Singaporeans, and 213 valid responses were collected over three months in 2023. It is worth noting over 40% of the respondents are 25 years old and below, classified as Generation Y. The results showed that among 80.3% of respondents who were familiar with SPRBs in Singapore, 68.1% of them either had a minimal or moderate understanding of SPRBs. The top five drivers were ease of access, safety-related factors, and psychological needs, while the top five barriers included cyberattacks, privacy and security concerns, overdependence, and task perception. Research findings have presented meaningful insights for relevant stakeholders to understand different perspectives of young Singaporeans arising from the implementation of SPRBs. It is hoped that public authorities will use this study to assess the feasibility of SPRBs and improve the concept to meet the evolving needs of future homebuyers in Singapore.
Journal Article
Level of Acceptance of E-Learning Courses for Upgrading Digital Skill Sets Among Built Environment Professionals
E-learning has emerged as a new way of training employees, making the digital upgrading process more efficient and economically viable. This study aimed to assess the perceptions of built environment (BE) professionals concerning e-learning courses aimed at digital upskilling and to identify the positive and negative influences on the level of acceptance of such e-learning courses. Having identified the influencing factors, a self-completed questionnaire was a good approach for this study. A questionnaire was distributed to BE professionals in Singapore. Over four weeks from the middle of December 2022 to early January 2023, 78 valid responses were collected. The results indicated that individual demographics (such as age, gender, and education level) other than years of computer experience using e-learning do not encourage or deter BE professionals from accepting e-learning courses. This study also identified fifteen positive factors that increase the level of acceptance, with the top-rated factors being usefulness to a BE professional’s job scope, increased efficiency at work, potential pay increment, and supportive work culture. This study also identified ten significant negative factors, with the most important ones being cost, compatibility issues with work systems, and negative instructor characteristics.
Journal Article
Adoption of smart contracts in the construction industry: an institutional analysis of drivers and barriers
Purpose
The construction industry has arrived at a crossroads of rapid technological progress. While it is foreseen that the advent of new construction technologies will disrupt the construction industry’s future, such disruptions often create the ideal environment for innovation. As poor payment practices continue to plague the construction industry, the advent of smart contracts has created an opportunity to rectify the inherent flaws in the mitigation of payment problems in traditional construction contracts. Given the intrinsic resistance of construction firms to such revolutionary changes, this study aims to understand the various factors influencing the adoption of smart contracts in the Singapore construction industry.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed method was adopted involving quantifying respondents’ perceptions of the factors influencing smart contract adoption, and validation from a group of interviewees on the matter. Out of 461 registered quantity surveyor members contacted via the Singapore institute of surveyors and valuers website, 55 respondents took part in the survey. This is followed by semi-structured interviews to validate the survey results.
Findings
The findings indicate that construction firms have neither a significant knowledge of nor willingness to adopt smart contracts. A total of 29 institutional factors were also identified that significantly influence the adoption of smart contracts. The quantitative findings were further reinforced by qualitative interviews with five industry experts.
Originality/value
With recognition of and the successful formulation of the significant institutional drivers and barriers, the key findings of this study will be integral in driving the commercial adoption of smart contracts within the construction industry.
Journal Article
Receptiveness of mass-engineered timber (MET) residential buildings among young stakeholders
PurposeTraditional construction materials and methodologies are often perceived to be unproductive, labour-intensive and detrimental to the environment. Mass-engineered timber (MET) is a new structural material that is capable of overcoming numerous issues that otherwise affect the built environment. This study was formulated to assess the current attitude and perception of young Singaporeans towards the concept of Engineered Timber Residential Buildings (ETRBs).Design/methodology/approachThe study employs the mixed-method approach. Questionnaires were used as the primary mode of data gathering. These were disseminated to Singaporeans between the age of 18 and 35 years. A total of 179 valid responses were gathered. Semi-structured interviews were subsequently conducted with six individuals with different demographics in order to gain further insightful opinions and to allow cross validation of responses.FindingsStatistical analysis revealed that 80% of respondents were willing to accept ETRBs, but a lack of awareness and knowledge of MET and the presence of misconceptions, such as an association with deforestation, may present concerns. The study also revealed that individual acceptance of ETRBs is not affected by demographics.Originality/valueThe production of MET involves lower overall carbon emissions than that of conventional materials, and this also allows adoption of the Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) concept and offers the benefit of carbon sequestration. Residential buildings are the second most common building type in Singapore; significant benefits can be gained if MET is used as the primary material for residential buildings. In general, young stakeholders in Singapore welcome the concept of ETRBs, despite possessing uncertainties about ETRBs—understandable given that the material lacks a track record of usage. Public authorities are thus advised to explore the feasibility of materialising the concept of ETRBs as an option for public housing.
Journal Article
Understanding the critical variables affecting the level of political risks in international construction projects
Contractors in the international marketplace are experiencing more severe political risks than ever before. They have also in response endeavored to mitigate the high degree of political risk exposure in order to survive. It is important however to identify and manage the critical variables affecting political risks associated with international construction projects. Relatively few studies of political risks, particularly in the context of international projects, have been carried out. The objective of this paper is to examine how international contractors attempt to identify and manage the critical variables which affect the level of political risks when they venture out of their home countries. 85 variables contributing to the level of political risks encountered by international contractors were identified in this paper. Based on the findings from an international survey on political risks, this study reveals that the variables, such as degree of stability of the government, project desirability to the host country, policy uncertainty, racism and xenophobia, and unfavorable attitude towards foreign businesses are the most significant variables. Several recommendations are also provided for international contractors in this paper. This research will assist international contractors to manage the political risk factors when expanding overseas.
Journal Article
TQM implementation through ISO 9001: findings from Chinese construction firms in Nigeria
Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to design and test a model integrating the attributes of national culture and total quality management (TQM) principles for successful TQM implementation in international projects involving Chinese construction firms in Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
– Based on the culture-specific relationship between TQM implementation and national culture and ISO 9001 being a stepping stone to TQM implementation, a model in the form of a matrix was designed integrating Hofstede’s five national cultural dimensions (NCD) and ISO 9001 eight quality management principles. The model was then tested through a three-phase research process including cross-sectional surveys of the Chinese (n=48) and the Nigerians (n=80) (Phase 1), Delphi study involving TQM experts (n=12) (Phase 2), and case studies of Chinese projects in Nigeria (n=6) (Phase 3).
Findings
– The model predicts important attributes of national culture and TQM principles for achieving good-quality performance, the management of which leads to a Chinese firm being perceived as delivering good or poor-quality services in Nigeria. Statistical testing using κ statistics revealed significant agreement between two perceived good-quality Chinese firms on the important attributes and significant disagreement between perceived good-quality and poor-quality Chinese firms in Nigeria.
Research limitations/implications
– The model designed is based on ISO 9001: 2008 version.
Practical implications
– International businesses in Africa will benefit from this study’s findings.
Social implications
– Overseas Chinese firms’ service quality perceptions can be better managed.
Originality/value
– This empirical study presents a model for successful TQM implementation through ISO 9001.
Journal Article
The potential effects of variation orders on institutional building projects
Purpose - To provide an in-depth analysis of the potential effects of variations in institutional building projects, which would be helpful for building professionals in assessing and taking proactive measures for reducing the adverse impact of variations.Design methodology approach - To achieve the study objectives, a questionnaire survey was carried out to collect information on potential effects of variations. Responses from 28 professionals working for a developer organization (a government agency) were analyzed. Furthermore, 26 face-to-face interviews using the questionnaires were also analyzed.Findings - The results suggest that the most frequent effects of variations were increase in project costs, additional payments for contractor, progress affected but without any delay, completion schedule delay, increase in overhead expenses and rework and demolition. Recommendations were suggested based on the findings of the research and literature review.Research limitations implications - This paper presented only the developers' view of the effects of variation orders on institutional building projects in Singapore. Further works can be extended to survey the consultants and the contractors who have carried out these projects.Practical implications - The study will benefit the professionals involved with institutional building projects. The professionals would learn about the downstream effects that may assist in the valuable evaluation of variation orders.Originality value - This is a timely study as the program of rebuilding and improving existing institutional buildings is currently underway in Singapore. A clearer view of the effects of variations on the projects will enable the project team to take advantage of beneficial variations. Furthermore, the findings can be used by future researchers to carry out studies on the management of variation orders in various other types of projects.
Journal Article
Quality Function Deployment for Buildable and Sustainable Construction
This book focuses on the implementation of Quality FunctionDeployment (QFD) in the construction industry as a tool to help buildingdesigners arrive at optimal decisions for external envelope systems withsustainable and buildable design goals.
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