Kamaruddin S S, M M F and Mahbub R, Y R M (2013) Perception towards cost implication of mechanisation and automation approach in IBS projects in Malaysia. In: Smith, S D and Ahiaga-Dagbui, D D (eds.) Proceedings of 29th Annual ARCOM Conference, 2-4 September 2013, Reading, UK.
Abstract
Industrialised Building System (IBS) is defined as a construction technique which components are manufactured in a controlled environment (on or off site). These components are then transported, positioned and installed into a structure without too much site works performed by labours. The agenda of IBS has been duly highlighted in the Malaysian Construction Industry Master Plan (2005-2015) as being of significant importance to the Malaysian construction industry. The Malaysian government is also committed not only in addressing the IBS agenda but also meeting its target and adopting innovations in the near future. The aim of the main research is to investigate the cost implication factors of mechanisation and automation approach in IBS projects. The methodologies are based on a thorough literature review, quantitative and qualitative method using semi structured interviews which were conducted among IBS manufacturers, developers and contractors in Malaysia. Capital cost, maintenance cost, operation cost, inadequacy of market size, site arrangement, upgrading, availability of machine locally, site location, training and transportation are among the major cost factors highlighted by the IBS players. These cost factors require considerable attention when the mechanisation and automation approach are to be fully implemented in IBS projects in Malaysia. The findings on the cost implication of the mechanisation and automation approach in IBS will be able to guide the industry players and the government in their quest to reduce the country’s over-dependency on foreign workers by encouraging the use of labour saving devices at an optimum cost. Subsequently, the IBS needs mechanisation and automation approach to push their agenda forward to meet the government’s transformation policy towards modernising the construction industry in line with other developed countries by the year 2020.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | costs; industrialised building system ; mechanisation; automation |
| Index terms: | site work, maintenance cost, construction industry, automation, developed country, foreign worker, methodology, upgrading, transformation, qualitative method, cost factor, industrialized building system, literature review, capital cost, Malaysia, manufacturer, interview |
| Subjects: | site logistics, data analysis and analytics, research design and methodology, business, strategic management, data collection methods, practitioner, building construction, industry analysis, accounting and finance, economics, research methods, financial management, development economics, Geography, automation and robotics |
| Topics: | Site Management, International Construction, Digital Applications, Construction Technology, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Cost Management, Business Strategy |
| 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