Tan, S Y and Zainon, N (2023) Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the quantity surveying practices in Malaysia. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 30(8), pp. 3480-3508. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: Malaysia has experienced a significant surge in COVID-19. The “new normal” has plunged construction players into one of the most challenging times in their history, including the quantity surveyors (QS). Playing a primary role from pre-construction to post-construction stages, QS is essential to ensure project success. This study aims to clarify the impact of COVID-19 on quantity surveying practices to provide a better understanding of the construction sector's downturn during the pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: Preliminary exploratory interviews were conducted with ten QS, architects, project managers and engineers to identify quantity surveying practices affected by the pandemic, followed by a survey involving 222 respondents to determine the significance of these impacts. Findings: It was found that quantity surveying practices involving site visits, such as variation work valuation and interim payment valuation, were the most affected by the pandemic. On the other hand, consultative services such as value management and advisory services were the least affected. Research limitations/implications: The study faced data sampling limitations. Further research requires more insights on different groups of QS, such as consultants, contractors and developers, and reasons behind the difference in consensus between QS and non-QS respondents. Practical implications: The insights from this research may help authorities and construction companies make necessary adjustments to ensure the quantity surveying profession remains resilient, hence a better chance of project success during a pandemic. This discovery can also be considered a significant opportunity to present the need for further development. Originality/value: The findings are expected to explain how COVID-19 had affected the duties of QS and identify which impact is the most significant. This research will complement the existing publications on the impacts of COVID-19 on the construction industry.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | COVID-19; impacts; new normal; professional practice; quantity surveyor |
| Index terms: | methodology, variation, construction sector, history, publication, professional practice, duty, COVID-19, interview, quantity surveying practice, surveying, construction company, survey, profession, value management, architect, sampling, construction industry, interim payment, construction stages, pandemic, Malaysia, quantity surveying, project manager, project success, engineer, pre-construction |
| Subjects: | industry analysis, contractual condition, Geography, project management theory and practice, professional development, health risk and incident analysis, management, research methods, health monitoring assessment and metrics, economic analysis, project delivery, architectural and construction history, institututions, profession, contractual role, research dissemination and communication, data collection methods, organization |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Information Management, Project Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Health and Safety, Business Strategy, Contract Administration, Value Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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