PERCEPTION OF INDUSTRIALISED BUILDING SYSTEM (IBS) WITHIN THE MALAYSIAN MARKET

The Industrialised Building Systems (IBS) is a construction process that utilizes
techniques, products, components, or building systems which involve prefabricated
components and on-site installation. This is because the industrialized building system
(IBS) of construction has the known theoretical advantages of speed, safety and quality.
However, in Malaysia, wet construction method is still widely accepted as a convention
and safe option despite incurring higher cost and slow production rate.
The objective of this final year project is to investigate the underlying reasons for the
cold reception and hence for the small market share for industrialized construction in
Malaysia (Perak, Penang & Kedah). Only approximately 15% of market share value is
being practiced in Malaysian construction industry due to several reasons despite a series
of promotion campaign by Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB).
Survey research method (SRM) is being implemented in this project. SRM is done
through questionnaire and personal interview method. Fabrication of questionnaire
consists of close-ended questions and open-ended questions. Systematic random
sampling is being selected as this technique spread the sample more evenly over the
population and it is easier to conduct than simple random sample. Questionnaire is
distributed through snail mail and follow up is done subsequently to maintain a consistent
number of feedbacks by the respondents. Feedback is analyzed by implementing
descriptive method and then analytical method.
It can be observed from the feedback that the major reasons of the cold reception of IBS
in Malaysia are failure in the transfer of technology, resistance of industry players to
change, conventional system is more open and flexible and IBS generally is more costly
than conventional system.