Yap, J B H; Low, P L and Wang, C (2017) Rework in Malaysian building construction: Impacts, causes and potential solutions. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 15(5), pp. 591-618.
Abstract
Purpose Rework is detrimental to project outcomes. However, there is still a lack of attention about rework within the Malaysian construction industry. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of rework on schedule and cost performance, to explore the causes of rework and to propose effective measures to minimise the occurrence of rework in building construction projects in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach Using a sample of 114 construction stakeholders consisting of 39 clients, 36 consultants and 39 contractors from the Klang Valley region, the authors investigated the variables on rework through a questionnaire survey. The level of importance of the causes and the potential solutions was ranked and correlated. Findings From the primary data analysis, the study on Malaysian building projects unveiled the cost of rework to range from 3.1 to 6.0 per cent of the project value and the schedule growth due to rework to range from 5.1 to 10.0 per cent. The significant causes of rework were identified and prioritised. The 18 causes were further categorised into five underlying dimensions by using a factor analysis. Effective rework reduction measures were also given. Finally, the relationships between the causes of rework and the potential solutions were identified using correlation tests. Research limitations/implications While this study is limited to rework in Malaysian building construction, rework in infrastructure projects is a potential area to discover new causes and possible solutions. Practical implications This paper provides insights into the effects of rework to project outcomes, causes of rework and feasible solutions in reducing rework in building construction projects. Originality/value Rework has been the focal point of research; however, empirical studies on rework have been under-represented in the Malaysian construction industry. This paper seeks to fill the gap by conducting an in-depth investigation on rework in the context of Malaysia.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Malaysia; factor analysis; construction project; cost overrun; rework causes; schedule delay |
| Index terms: | empirical study, investigation, factor analysis, schedule growth, dimension, infrastructure project, construction industry, Malaysia, schedule delay, cost overrun, project outcome, construction project, methodology, questionnaire, cost performance, data analysis, rework, building construction, survey |
| Subjects: | infrastructure and transport systems, industry analysis, statistical analysis, project controls, building construction, Geography, production management, economics, research methods, data analysis and analytics, health monitoring assessment and metrics, financial and cost management, operations management, data collection methods, project completion |
| Topics: | Time Control, Construction Technology, Health and Safety, Cost Management, Engineering Principles, Geographical Context, Project Management, Research Practice |
| 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