SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN

Bachelor of Quantity Surveying (Honours)

BLD 61103 INDUSTRIALISED BUILDING SYSTEM
INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT
FACTOR IN DECISION MAKING OF IBS ADOPTION:
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

STUDENT NAME: CHAN HUI YONG

STUDENT ID NO.: 0313991
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 20/4/2015

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Table of Content

1.0 Introduction

3, 4

2.0 Literature Review: Technology development

2.1 Technology Innovation

2.2 Technology Productivity

2.3 Technology Quality

7, 8

3.0 Conclusion
Reference

8, 9
10, 11

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1.0 Introduction

The advancement of technology has brought industrialized building system to Malaysia

with the objective to reduce unskilled foreign labor in the construction industry.
Industrialized building system is also known as IBS and it is defined as construction
system in which components are manufactured in a control environment whether it is in
a factory, on-site, off-site. It is then assembled or fixed on site.
IBS in Malaysia dated back to 1966, when IBS technology was newly introduced to the
construction industry. Thus, two pilot projects were launched by Malaysia government.
The two pilot projects are Pekeliling Flats in Kuala Lumpur and Rifle Range Road Flats
in Penang. There two projects adopted precast concrete framing, panel and box
system, one of the type of IBS. Aside from that, there are 4 other major types of IBS,
which are: Steel Formwork System, Steel Framing System, Prefabricated Timber
Framing System and Block work System according to Construction Industry
Development Board (CIDB) in Malaysia.
By adopting IBS, it promises intriguing pros such as total waste reduction, low risk and
hazards, among others. Although there are many pros in the adoption of IBS but the
usage of IBS is relatively low compare to the adoption of conventional method in
Malaysia. Based on survey done by CIDB, IBS is adopted among one third of the
project completed in 1998 to 2002.

Retrieved from: IBS survey 2003 at 14 April 2015

Referring to chart 6 in IBS survey 2003, the percentage of zero IBS usage is the highest
compare individually to each category of IBS usage. Although, conventional method
(zero IBS usage) is the most popular among the construction industry but the
percentage is getting lower and lower throughout the years 1998-2002. As shown in
Chart 6 (overleaf), companies with zero usage of IBS in construction projects were
recorded to be steadily decreasing from 1998 (74%) to 2002 (48%). Clearly, more
companies are beginning to accept and use IBS in their construction projects. The
number of companies that utilized IBS in 81%-100% of their projects also recorded a
steady increase. (CIDB, 2003) Through this survey, the decision of incorporating IBS
system in conventional method or IBS adoption are slowly practice in the construction
industry.
Malaysian construction industry has been urged to use innovative construction
technique and to shift from traditional practice of brick and mortar to Industrialized
Building System (IBS) construction. (Kamarul Anuar Mohamad Kamar, et al.) Currently,
the Malaysian construction industry is slowly moving towards the acceptance and
adoption of industrialized building system. So, this paper reviews the factor of the
decision making of IBS adoption. This review will focus on one factor which is
technology development of IBS and how it plays a part in the decision making of
industrialized building system (IBS) adoption.

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2.0 Literature Review : Technology Development

The role of decision maker in the adoption of IBS is gaining attention, in order to
develop an understanding about the pace at which this technology will be implemented
throughout the construction industry (Sharifah Akmam Syed Zakaria, Brewer and
Gajendran, 2014). IBS technology must be affordable, suitable for climate in Malaysia
and contribute to sustainable development (Azman, 2011). The development of
technology has greatly impact the construction industry in a global perspective. Azman,
Ahamad and Wan Hussin (2012) concluded that the development of technology is an
important tool to bring construction industry to achieve international level, thus profiting
in a long term basis. However, the personal in charge of deciding which method to use
in the construction project have lots to consider and technology development is one of
them. Decision makers noted that IBS adoption was not solely based on technology
transfer but it also consider productivity, quality, innovation and design of the technology
in this case, IBS (Sharifah Akmam Syed Zakaria, 2014). Besides that, CIDB (2003)
stated that it is a necessity for local construction to be equipped with the relevant
technology and experience to successfully market their products and services both
locally and globally. To adopt IBS, MMC, and OSM in the construction industry, all
participants must acquire knowledge on the current technology in the construction
industry, thus being able to practice (Azman, Ahamad and Wan Hussin, 2012). Sharifah
Akmam Syed Zakaria(2014) also conclude that IBS adoption decision should be
technology driven. Technology related factors in decision making of IBS adoption such
as technology creativity, innovation, productivity and quality needed to be explored.
However, technology innovation, productivity, cost and quality are reviewed and explore
in depth but creativity will not be included as it varies toward the perception of the
decision maker.

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2.1 Technology Innovation

In Malaysia, the construction industry is said to be labor intensive with low level of
innovation (Kamarul Anuar Mohd Kamar, et al., 2011). To reduce foreign labor in
Malaysia, IBS technology is introduced to blend in the conventional method of
construction through innovative method and also IBS as an innovation itself. IBS should
be seen as an innovation (Zuhairi Abd Hamid, et al., 2011). Technology innovations
involve building solutions through continuous modifications or improvements of existing
technology could attract more construction projects to adopt IBS technology (Sharifah
Akmam Syed Zakaria, 2014).
A series of implementation of IBS technology in the construction process such as
prefabricated steel and timber roof systems and precast concrete component are
adopted often among the other IBS technology. The decision to implement innovative
design in IBS is influenced by the consideration of standardization, knowledge on
concept of modular coordination and IBS components and application (Onyeizu and
Abu Hassan Abu Bakar, 2011). However, stakeholders do not want to indulge in the
innovation of IBS design because of the issues relating IBS application concept
(Onyeizu and Abu Hassan Abu Bakar, 2011). The issues relating IBS application are
lack of knowledge of IBS concept thus resulting failure in the construction process. In
another opinion, IBS need to be seen as an evolution in construction using new and
innovative technique and technology but it is not a revolution (Kamarul Anuar Mohd
Kamar et al.).
Summing up, the understanding on technology innovation is crucial in IBS adoption.
Decision makers will consider ways IBS technology implementation on the construction
process but they need to have knowledge and understand the skills needed for
industrialised building system (IBS) method. Therefore, there is a possibility of
incorporate innovative IBS technology on conventional process which is hybrid
construction method and also full implementation of IBS technology.

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2.2 Technology Productivity

Industrialised building system is encouraged because the Malaysian industry still

struggle with low productivity, high wastage and dependency of foreign workers (Kamar,
et al. 2014). However, Sharifah Akamam Syed Zakaria (2014) conclude that technology
productivity is most influential sub-factor of technology development in IBS decision
making because the decision makers need to evaluate the how the implementation of
IBS affect the performance of the construction project. Ali Rashidi, et al (2012) has
stated that Industrialised Building System utilise less labour with the purpose of making
the overall construction time shorter and saving on the overhead costs that are involved
in the construction projects. Mydin, (2014) also concluded that the construction time of
industrialised building system is faster compare to conventional method because the
components are reacted on site but not constructed as the components are constructed
at a controlled environment in a factory. IBS method has reduced amount of site labour
involve in construction site and increased productivity of the construction process
(Nuzul Azam Haron, et al., 2005). Decision must be based on technology with
standardised information with emphasis of measurable productivity, technical perfection
and construction work efficiency. (Sharifah Akmam Syed Zakaria).
Therefore, the implementation

of industrialised building system ensures a higher

productivity compare to conventional method in terms of faster completion time, less

wastage and less man power needed.

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2.3 Technology Quality

The attention to technical specifications and quality standards in IBS technology was an
essential consideration in IBS decision-making (Sharifah Akmam Syed Zakaria, 2014).
IBS components are constructed in a controlled environment whether off-site, on-site or
in factory. IBS construction method shows far superior in quality when compared to
conventional method of construction (Maisarah Ali, et al.). Mardhiah Binti Zawawi
(2009) discuss that IBS component produce ensure high quality because quality can be
controlled in the production process at factory.
However, the construction process using IBS technology requires skilled workers to
ensure quality of construction and the stability of the structure. Hassan and Ismail
(2008) stated that a shortage in skilled workers in Malaysia has caused many
contractors to employ semi-skilled and unskilled laborers in construction projects, thus
resulting in poor workmanship and quality of completed works. Mohd Arif Marhani
(2012) conclude that the foreign labor in Malaysia lack skills, training and experience in
construction process thus resulting in poor quality of work. Summing up, the quality of
the IBS components is ensure but skilled workers are needed to execute the work to
ensure the quality and safety of the structure

3.0 Conclusion

Decision makers not only need to be aware of the development in terms of innovation,
productivity and quality but there is also a need to understand the significance of the
factor to achieve project goals. The technology innovation coexists with productivity and
quality to ensure the success of the construction project. Through innovations of IBS in
construction method, the quality of the construction is high and ensured by the skilled

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workers. Not only that, there is an increase in the productivity as IBS components and
the foundation can be done simultaneously, thus resulting a reduction of wastage of
materials and fasten the completion process.
The decision to implement IBS technology is encouraged because there is a need to
change the current condition in the construction industry, which is over dependent on
foreign workers and among others. In any construction project, a detailed planning is
crucial to the construction project regardless of the factors and issues.

Overall,

technology development is one of the many factors that affect the decision making of IS
adoption and those other factor are also taken in consideration.

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