This exploratory study outlines the business strategy that are being applied by small and medium-size enterprises (SME) construction companies in adopting Industrialised Building System (IBS) in Malaysia. Case study was employed as the research method in order to achieve the research objective as it can be used to explore and give further understanding of the research issues. Cross-case synthesis and pattern matching technique were applied for the analysis of the case study. Through the study, it was found that the SME construction companies could participate in the IBS business. The companies need to have capital and knowledge in IBS, position themselves as a total IBS solution provider to clients, target projects with large volumes of building components, employ a small number of fulltime employees as well as to have in-house capability and to outsource some facilities in the business operation. In conclusion, the involvement of SME construction companies in the IBS market is important to avoid the monopoly of IBS components supplies among the large companies and to potentially reduce the price of IBS so that it becomes more affordable to be used in the construction projects.
The study investigates and compares the experience and expectation of employers and graduates on architecture graduate work readiness in relation to employability skills using a quantitative method. A total of 141 graduates and 85 employers completed a set of survey measuring the same variables but from different perspectives. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS v 25. Study findings show that perception of employers and graduates are similar on the architectural course and how it trains the graduates for practice. However there is a small gap in the perception graduates work readiness; architectural course curriculum, and graduates’ practical skills. The results revealed that the graduates confidence level in their work readiness is moderate (M = 3.42., SD = 0.843), concurring with the employers who reported that graduate are not entirely ready (M = 3.62., SD = 0.648). However, the employers’ score employability skills is lower than the graduates’ score, especially in areas such as knowledge of Uniform Building By-Law (UBBL) requirements and sustainable approaches (RK) (M=3.29, SD=0.881) and CTS (M = 3.41, SD=0.837). Thus, the study suggests opportunities in current learning in architectural course to be transformed using “work based learning” to enhance the graduates employability skills.
PurposeThere is an urgent need to develop a systematic tool for urban design in the cities of the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG11) proposes ideas to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. This paper approaches this goal through land use, integrated into an effective connectivity network. It offers a scientific and systematic approach. The research employs Space Syntax of the University College London as a tool for urban analysis and the principles of Sustainable Street Networks developed by the Congress of New Urbanism to respond to connectivity issues.Design/methodology/approachThe paper employs empirical research through case studies. A systematic literature review is conducted on the diversified applications of the Space Syntax correlations, which steered the fundamental analysis of the elements of deconstruction to structure and land use. Space Syntax and Sustainable Street Network characteristics were the essential research methods. It is important to note that these data a new finding on the Syntactic Maps of the two case study cities.FindingsThe paper summarises a set of results on (1) international comparison of spatial intelligence, (2) patterns from the Eastern cases and (3) theoretical guidelines for spatial intelligence through the Syntax by offering key characteristics of the New Urbanism principles, which could be considered, while revitalising the cities in the Klang Valley, Malaysia.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are specific and applicable to the oriental contexts. However, such results have been further compared to the Western context.Practical implicationsThe study develops a toolkit for urban planners and designers and architects in Klang Valley, Malaysia.Social implicationsThe research has focused and will add value for SDG11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Theoretically, the paper offers insights to urban design readers.Originality/valueIt is important to note that the data itself is a new finding on Syntactic Maps of the two case study cities. The investigated setting is unique, and the first attempt in generating a Space Syntax map to the cities of Klang Valley, and the findings, therefore, offer a new set of knowledge-base to the city planners, urban designers, researchers and architects.
The use of the Internet for social networking is very popular amongst the youth. Collaborative technology leads to instant online community that enables fast and convenient communication. Adoption of Social Media has been researched on many contexts. However, little research has paid close attention to the student’s acceptance of Social Media (SM) as e-learning in higher educational teaching, especially in architectural education. This study aims to investigate factors that affect acceptance and behaviour of architecture undergraduate students towards the usage of SM. A quantitative method was used and qualitative responses of 33 architecture students using social media in their elective module, Community Service Initiative (CSI), was analyzed using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). TAM model for this study focused on social norm (SN) as an external factor, the two user beliefs, perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU) and behavioural intention to use (BI). Factor Analysis and Pearson Correlation showed significant relationship between social norm, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and behavioural intention to use. The results of this study provided evidence for the potential use of social media as e-learning in similar modules.
In hot and humid tropics, excess solar gain in buildings results in high cooling load. Shading is a common strategy used to protect the building’s skin from excessive solar exposure. Vegetation shading is often used minimize the incident solar radiation and cool the building and affect the building’s energy performance. Thus, the study present findings on effects of vegetation shading on indoor and outdoor thermal environment in the hot and humid tropics of Malaysia. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of vegetation shading on the thermal environment of urban housing. An experimental study was conducted to determine the effects of vegetation on two residential buildings of 2 1/2-storey of typical materials and construction. Findings from the study evidence that vegetation has significant effects in modifying the microclimate by shading and evapotranspiration process. The results show that the outdoor temperature of CS1 (with vegetation) is significantly lower (3.3°C) in comparison with CS2 (non-vegetated) as the effects of vegetation shading. There is also a significant reduction of 3.4°C in the indoor temperature compared to the outdoor at CS1. The results show that vegetation shading is an excellent passive cooling strategy for buildings, potentially improving thermal environment and conserving energy.
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