Rapid development has brought about various innovations in the construction technology for modern residential areas. However, the development has resulted in the creation of an urban heat island that has led to discomfort in living conditions. Modern architecture has replaced the design principles of traditional Malay houses (TMH). Some studies have demonstrated that modern architecture designs often lack the passive thermal advantages inherent in traditional architecture. Accordingly, this study evaluated the design features that affected the interior thermal performance of Melaka TMH by quantifying the heat transfer coefficient (HTC) and comparing it with the physical inventory data. Fieldwork was conducted in two stages: (1) pre-measurement (physical inventory) and (2) non-invasive measurement (thermal data). Findings revealed that rumah tengah (middle house) recorded the highest HTC value at 14,362,526.42 W, whereas anjung (porch) displayed the lowest HTC value at 600.08 W; both utilising zinc roofing with a U-value of 164,286 W/m²°C. Key determinants of HTC were identified as the material properties and surface area, while factors such as floor area and elevation from ground level had no significant impact on HTC or interior thermal conditions. Additionally, surface area and materials used in openings facilitated the inward and outward transfer of heat, with roof height affecting warm air circulation within a space. These findings can contribute to scientific discussions on sustainable design practices and technological applications in modern residential architecture.
To navigate the complexities and uncertainties of the construction industry effectively, small- and medium-sized construction companies (SMCCs) require a robust management approach rooted in their accumulated experiences. From the perspective of knowledge management (KM), this study examined how SMCCs implemented the knowledge management process (KMP) to enhance their performance in a highly competitive and rapidly evolving market. It also explored the characteristics of SMCCs in terms of KMrelated practices, investment allocations and strategic plans for leveraging KMP to improve performance. This study collected responses from managers of SMCCs with more than 10 years of working experience in residential, commercial and industrial projects in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on how they drive their business in the Vietnamese construction industry using KMP factors. Employing the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach, the study ranked the activities of KMP, which encompasses five main criteria with 28 associated activities, from the perspective of SMCCs. The research findings indicated that KMP criteria, namely knowledge utilisation (KU), knowledge dissemination (KD), knowledge responsiveness (KR), knowledge storage (KS) and knowledge acquisition (KA), were prioritised in order of values of 45.6%, 25.1%, 13.9%, 7.9% and 7.5%, respectively. The findings suggest that SMCCs should focus on implementing KMP based on two crucial factors, which are KU and KD and adopt a peoplebased approach that emphasises tacit knowledge with technology support. Using empirical data, this study revealed how SMCC managers drive their business activities for SMCCs in the construction market segment. By integrating KMP into their existing construction activities, SMCCs can optimise their operating and management processes, ultimately enhancing their sustainable competitiveness in the market.
This study explored the current literature on the implementation of the Internet of Things (IoT) in facility management (FM), focusing on key technological, organisational and environmental factors based on the technological-organisational-environmental (TOE) framework. Effective implementation of IoT in FM enhances operational efficiency, costeffectiveness and sustainability by enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance and optimal resource utilisation. A systematic literature review (SLR) of 28 articles, published from 2014 to 2023, was conducted following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and thematic analysis was employed to provide a detailed overview of the state of IoT in the FM industry. Articles were identified and extracted from three academic databases: Scopus, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar, for comprehensive coverage of relevant fields. The selected articles met the inclusion criteria set for the research question: What are the factors influencing IoT implementation in FM? The analysis analysed using ATLAS.ti version 9 identified three main themes: technological, organisational and environmental factors influencing IoT implementation in FM. Key findings revealed technological factors such as integration challenges, standardisation issues and data security concerns. Organisational factors like resistance to change, leadership and stakeholder involvement and training needs, while environmental factors, including regulatory compliance, economic feasibility and sustainability considerations, played crucial roles in shaping IoT implementation in FM. These insights provide valuable guidance for researchers, practitioners, stakeholders and policymakers in understanding and addressing the multifaceted aspects of IoT implementation in FM, paving the way for future research and practice.
Property loss and operation downtime in a small event can be mitigated by necessitating early detection systems. These systems function as emergency responders, equipped with the capacity to notify of the current situation at the construction site. Therefore, this study analysed the key elements required to successfully adopt Industrial Revolution (IR) 4.0 technology in smart emergency detection for safety management. The analysis also established various smart emergency detection requirements for safety management based on IR 4.0 technology. A total of 215 G7 Malaysian contractors were initially sought as respondents for this study. The data was obtained using a survey method employing descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage and mean score). This process identified the ranking contribution of key elements and requirements for smart emergency detection in safety management, based on IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 25. A total of 10 key elements were then ranked in this study: (1) components, (2) cost, (3) related work, (4) strength, (5) challenges, (6) data collection, (7) place, (8) equipment, (9) economy and (10) training. Six requirements were also ranked: (1) increased agility, (2) smart, self-monitoring and control, (3) better connectivity, (4) sustainability, (5) consistent self-registration and (6) ease of use. Consequently, a significant contribution was observed from the key elements and requirements involving the successful adoption of IR 4.0 technology in smart emergency detection for safety management. This outcome provided a holistic and integrated perspective, enhancing safety management performance and informing better decision-making choices for construction industry practitioners. Construction industry stakeholders could also present novel practices and policies for improved safety management performance, incorporating IR 4.0 technology, in developing countries, using these findings.
Work-life balance involves effectively managing professional and personal responsibilities to enhance overall well-being and avoid burnout. Employees in the construction industry face challenges like long hours, high workloads, inadequate organisational support and irregular work schedules. This research focused on a megaproject in Malaysia, namely the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL). It is in line with the aspirations of the strategic blueprint introduced by the government of Malaysia, the Construction Industry Transformation Plan (CITP) 2021–2025, aimed at enhancing productivity in the construction sector and promoting work-life balance initiatives in Malaysia. Three objectives were set for this research work: (1) to investigate the existing work-life culture in the ECRL project, (2) to determine the current constraints faced in the ECRL Project in implementing the worklife balance and (3) to recommend the preferred work-life balance initiatives that can be implemented in the construction industry. A quantitative survey was conducted for data collection. The questionnaire survey was distributed via the WhatsApp application to 300 heads of departments. The research findings revealed four themes on the current constraints of work-life balance faced by employees in the ECRL project. They were: (1) new technology, (2) long commute time, (3) ad-hoc tasks and (4) organisation policies. This research also found four preferred work-life balance initiatives that can be implemented: (1) reward system, (2) flexible working arrangements and (3) organisation support. The findings can shed light on ways of identifying, assessing and mitigating the work-life balance issue, especially since the lack of work-life balance is a problem in Malaysia’s megaproject construction industry.
