Yap, J B H; Skitmore, M; Lim, Y W; Loo, S C and Gray, J (2022) Assessing the expected current and future competencies of quantity surveyors in the Malaysian built environment. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 29(6), pp. 2415-2436. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: Quantity surveying is a profession that blends engineering, construction and economics. To be competent is to have the ability to apply the set of related knowledge, skills and abilities to perform a task effectively. This paper examines the competency requirements for quantity surveyors (QSs) in the face of changing and increasing client needs. Design/methodology/approach: Based on a detailed meta-analysis of the literature, 12 basic/core and 16 evolving competencies are identified. Primary data were gathered through a field survey involving practicing QSs from client, consultant and contractor organisations, and university students undertaking QS programmes in Malaysia. The data obtained were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. Findings: The significance of the basic/core and evolving competencies are presented. Overall, the most important contemporary skills are cost planning, valuation of works, measurement/quantification and contract documentation. The evolved roles require expertise in communication and negotiation, ethics and professional conduct and value management. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicates there are misaligned expectations of the proficiency levels needed to provide contemporary and future services between practitioners in client/consultant organisations, contractors and new generation students. Originality/value: The findings provide guidance on the education, training and practice of quantity surveying to deal with emerging challenges in the dynamic built environments in Malaysia and beyond.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | competencies; construction industry; Malaysia; quantity surveyor; skills |
| Index terms: | negotiation, construction industry, value management, built environment, profession, ethics, contractor organization, quantity surveying, Malaysia, quantification, variance, university student, cost planning, contract documentation, practitioner, methodology, programme, survey, face, surveying, meta-analysis |
| Subjects: | practitioner, institututions, data collection methods, profession, organization, ethical practice, contractual arrangements, health monitoring assessment and metrics, psychology, curriculum design, Geography, financial management, management, research methods, industry analysis, infrastructure and transport systems, research evaluation and metrics, project controls, conflict resolution, measurement and scaling |
| Topics: | Cost Management, Health and Safety, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Stakeholder Management, Procurement, Urban Studies, Value Management, Organizational Design, Education, Time Control |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here