Omotayo, D T; Tan, S W and Ekundayo, D (2023) Sustainable construction and the versatility of the quantity surveying profession in Singapore. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 12(2), pp. 435-457. ISSN 2046-6099
Abstract
Purpose: The changing role of quantity surveyors in the new paradigm of sustainable construction requires studies into new competencies and skills for the profession. The impact of sustainable construction on quantity surveying services, engagement and how they manage challenges provided an indication of the success indicators of the quantity surveying profession in meeting the sustainable construction needs. Design/methodology/approach: A five-point Likert scale was developed from the list of quantity surveying firms in Singapore. An 85% response rate from 60 quantity surveying firms contacted in this study provided 51 responses. Descriptive statistics and factor analysis were employed to evaluate the findings. Findings: The factor analysis categorised the drivers derived from the literature into awareness of sustainable construction, adversarial role on green costing; carbon cost planning; valuing a sustainable property; common knowledge of sustainable construction; and lack of experience in sustainable construction. Social implications: The research findings supported the idea of increased sustainable construction skills in quantity surveying education, research and training. Originality/value: The dearth of quantity surveyors with sustainable construction experience must focus on quantity surveying professional bodies and higher education. The quantity surveying profession needs reskilling in green costing and carbon cost planning to meet the needs of sustainable construction.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction; cost; green construction; quantity surveying; Singapore; sustainable construction |
| Index terms: | Singapore, quantity surveying, higher education, factor analysis, paradigm, profession, costing, statistics, surveying, sustainable construction, quantity surveying firm, Likert scale, methodology, cost planning |
| Subjects: | statistical analysis, educational institutions, Geography, sustainable construction, education and knowledge transfer, financial management, accounting and finance, research methods, health monitoring assessment and metrics, institututions, profession, data collection methods, mathematical modelling |
| Topics: | Education, Roles and Professions, Sustainability, Health and Safety, Cost Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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