Information and Communications Technology - or technologies (ICT) is a large area and extended term that includes all technologies for the manipulation and communication of information.
In Malaysian construction industry there are a lot of ways that we could manipulate the necessary information to our staff, employees, workers, engineers, contractors, supervisors on site, managers and workers to facilitate the process of our project and also to achieve more success in our projects such as:
1)Creating a network like connecting to a website through internet so every stakeholder could access to this site easily and everywhere.
2)We could have some training methods like having special classes for the education of our workers, employees and engineers.
3)Having special systems that will connect all the members on site through their hand phones together so they could be connected to each other and to gain the necessary knowledge from each other.
4)We could have some special meeting that will enable everybody to develop and communicate their information to other members.
5)We should create and develop the culture of well and open communication in to our teams like our construction teams on site to communicate with each other to achieve more success in terms of scope of the project such as: cost, time, health and safety and also quality.
Vision of Growth and Success
Construction industry in Malaysia with the help of government should be in process of reorganization and investment into a top class Construction industry following its process of success with the effective implementation of ICT that will include:
• Professional Management.
• Human Resource Excellence.
• High Standard Equipment.
HUMAN RESOURCE EXCELLENCE
Construction industry should add value to everything that it enters into. In doing so, they must realize the vital role that each and every associate in the industry have, in meeting the needs on the industry they should serve effectively. They should believe in driving and deriving value through there companies and people associated thereby respecting the rights and dignity of the companies and clients associates.
Some of Malaysian construction industry of the Human Resource Policies could be as follows:
• Establish and sustain construction industry reputation as a preferred and equal opportunity for the companies.
• Encourage the construction companies to maintain a workplace culture in which there is mutual trust and respect, where all employees feel valued, are listened to and are able to contribute their best efforts in achieving set targets.
• Be a strong believer of promoting construction companies to support them with facilities and equipments to achieve more success in local and international construction projects.
• Commit to ensuring that all construction companies know what is expected of them in their jobs and are helped to develop their capabilities through constructive performance appraisals, training and career planning.
• Encourage the values of PRO-ACTIVENESS, PROMPTNESS, PERFECTION and INTEGRITY to achieve personal, organizational and industry goals.
• To maintain and further enhance the high level of training and education for the construction companies is dedicated to invest into new and existing employee's professional career.
Other Human Resource issues of concern at construction industry should have supervision through these issues such as:
The present and future personnel and companies needs, possession of required skills, effective training provision as and when necessary, workforce balance between permanent and temporary workers, compensation and fringe benefits based on the policy of EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK to recruit as well as retain skilled and experienced companies and personnels.
Malaysia was connected to the Internet in 1990 when the Internet Service Provider (ISP) JARING was launched by MIMOS Berhad. In 1996, Telekom Malaysia launched the country’s second ISP, which is TMNet. (Rahmah, 1999).
The benefit of using IT in the CI has been illustrated by Aouad et al. (1999) and Marosszeky et al. (2000), who concluded that the use of IT is important because it has been proved that:
it can bring faster cycle and response times;
businesses that have applied IT experienced significant gains in productivity and hence competitive advantage; and
for some firms, IT has enabled expansion into new markets, and positioned them to compete internationally.
The physical distance apart generates communication barriers. In addition, the variety of communication media and modes in construction further augments its communication difficulties. Messages sometimes get distorted or delayed. Further, using long distance calls or overseas facsimile is very costly. Some international construction companies find that it is expensive to collect, maintain and update the information for overseas construction sites.
However, the cost of using the Internet services is much lower than that of the IDD and express courier services. Messages can reach the recipients more speedily and accurately which can also be traceable. The Internet is a global network which is not restricted by locations, time or different computer operating systems. In summary, it is more effective in using Internet networking systems for construction
Technology can be used to improve firms' ability in terms of the effective use of information. For example, Li et al. (2000) found that a quantity surveying firm and an architectural firm reaped productivity improvements from the use of IT. According to Bennett (2001), if used widely, information technology can make for better projects, better use of resources, and better profits. He agreed that the technology could be useful for managers in construction firms to assist in making better decisions and enhancing communication. Examples of the application of technology in these firms are project programming, cost estimation, document management, project websites, material and equipment inventories and so on.
Furthermore, Ariffin (2002) argued that the use of technology is very important, especially for large firms. Quite a number of large projects used the internet as a communication tool to involve project participants, for example in the construction of new international airports in Hong Kong and Malaysia, where the relationships among the project participants was managed on a “visual project” basis (Smith, 1999).
Information Technology (IT) is the sine qua non of all businesses today, including the construction industry, so understanding its roles and functions in construction firms is a requisite in assessing their performance. However, little work in this has been done on Malaysian firms. Generally, Information Technology (IT) plays a vital role in the sustained growth of a business. IT is defined broadly as “technologies dedicated to information storage, processing, and communications” Ang et al. (1997), that is, a combination of hardware, software, telecommunications and office equipment to transform raw data into useful information for speedy retrieval.
Yap et al. (1992) and Valida et al. (1994) concluded that IT use and its integration were higher in companies providing goods and services than those in manufacturing and distribution. Mui et al. (2002) surveyed internet use in the Malaysian construction industry, and found that most of the companies used the Internet and considered it an important tool. Nevertheless, they reckoned that they did not fully harness the power of the Internet - only using the basic functions like e-mail. To encourage more intensive use of the Internet, they suggested improving their own infrastructure and hiring more computer savvy staff.
Unfortunately, Stewart and Mohamed (2003) found that the CI still lags considerably behind other industries in achieving comparable rates of IT implementation.
One of the possible reasons for this is the service or product characteristics offered by the industry (i.e. heterogeneous variety in size, no two projects are exactly alike, etc.). Furthermore, the industry practises different ways of producing products by using different combinations of resources. For example, construction project teams are unique entities, created through a complex integration of factors, with interdisciplinary players, varying roles, responsibilities, goals and objectives (Goodman and Chinowsky, 1996). Collaboration and teamwork is crucial in construction since sharing up-to-date information between project teams leads to minimising errors, reducing time delays and breaking the widespread rework cycle (Mohamed, 2003). Latham (1994) identified the lack of integration across partners as a major issue affecting the performance of the UK CI. The application of IT thus facilitates the sharing of information and knowledge to increase the efficiency and productivity of the industry.
Furthermore, the CI in general is highly fragmented, with significant problems like low productivity, cost and time overrun, conflicts and disputes, resulting in claims and time-consuming litigation. This has been acknowledged as the major cause of performance-related problems facing the industry (Mohamed, 2003). Information produced by many sources, at many levels of abstraction and detail, also contributes to industry fragmentation (Froese et al., 1997). According to Steward and Mohamed (2003), fragmentation is one of the characteristics of the industry and forms a barrier that prevents the strategic use of IT.
Vision
Visioning is a process that can assist in the development the future generation of ICT for the construction industry. Sarshar (2000) developed a vision for construction IT. Sarshar portrayed a scenario where all stakeholders can produce their relevant project information and post it on an electronic “project information board”. Each user has appropriate access rights and can manipulate the necessary information on demand. This vision has been termed construction “integration”, by many researchers (Issa, 1999) (Alshawi, 1996).
In this vision for construction IT (Sarshar 2000), the users of this information board need not be tied to their computers and office network for connections and access. Advances in communications technologies allow users to manipulate information in any format, and in any geographical location. This is known as construction “collaboration”.
The “project information board” approach is a means of sharing project information, via a shared conceptual product / process model. Information is entered once and is used by all stakeholders, during a project. Some of the benefits of the integrated approach include:
·Much of the project information can be presented in a visual rather than textual format. This eases communications and information sharing (Issa 1999, Thabet 1999, Brandon 1999).
·Many aspects of the building can be simulated to improve client briefing and design reviews (Sawhney 1999) (Shi 1999).
·Such interactive technology can be used to consider life cycle issues such as environmental impact, space planning, facilities management, emergency evacuation, security and constructability during design reviews. This can facilitate concurrent engineering by involving clients, planners, architects, designers, civil engineers, contractors, facility managers and security personnel (Sarshar 2000).
·It is easier to use past project knowledge and information for new developments.
DIVERCITY was an EU funded project (1999-2002) (Divercity Handbook 2003), (Christiansson 2002). The project used IFC standards in order to develop a toolkit for shared virtual briefing and design, in the construction industry. This toolkit allows construction companies to conduct client briefing, design reviews, simulate what if scenarios, test constructability of buildings, communicate and co-ordinate design activities between teams.
DIVERCITY has developed virtual workspaces that improve communication and collaboration. DIVERCITY has focused on three construction processes, i.e. (i) client briefing; (ii) design reviews; and (iii) site operations and constructability.
DIVERCITY allows users to produce designs and simulate them in a virtual environment. The designs are IFC based and can be viewed by all stakeholders within the project team.
To contribute towards the objectives of Malaysia to be a developed nation by 2020, it is envisaged that Malaysia will develop a construction industry that is internationally competitive. The industry will be seamless and all stakeholders will work in collaboration with each other.
With the above in mind, a vision for the construction industry has been formulated in tandem with the objectives and goals of Vision 2020. This vision for the construction industry is intended to drive the development and implementation of all the strategies recommended in achieving its objectives. It is the Government’s aim to promote this vision to all stakeholders so that it is shared by both public and private sectors.
ICT has a significant role to play in transforming these ideas into physical reality, from facilitating the creation and modification of building plans to expediting the review and approval process. The use of ICT permeates various industries and is seen as a major driver for improvement in performance and cost efficiency. As such, the ability of the construction industry to harness the potential of ICT will bring significant improvements to the industry, including its image as a progressive industry.
The objective of this strategic thrust is to raise the level of clients’ sophistication through various technology-enabled knowledge sharing platforms. This is to set the foundation for a knowledge-based construction community that is in tandem with the goals of Vision 2020.
Conclusion
The success of the construction industry is increasingly predicated on technology driven investments in information technology (IT) and this is expected to be even more so in the future.
Although the construction industry has traditionally been slow to accept new technology, many users have now recognized the superiority of the Internet and are prepared to invest in it. The Internet can facilitate effective construction communication in the construction industry. Moreover, the cost is much cheaper than traditional approaches.
In the Malaysian CI, there is a gradual evolution of managers having higher academic qualifications. This higher education level has influenced their perception towards IT usage. Most of them are familiar with the use of computers and the internet. In fact, the explanation of the Malaysian CI in section 1 provides support that construction firms should be more exposed and interested in adopting new technology. The reasons for this are:
The Malaysian construction industry is aggressively exercising the use of E-Tendering for construction works. The full package for E-Tendering, which includes advertising of tender documents to awarding contracts to contractors, will be implemented by the end of 2007.
Construction firms are now facing different types of clients who constantly demand fast decisions, complex projects, and proper management and control. Thus, managers have to be more professional and ready to adopt new technologies in order to enhance their clients' satisfaction.
The Malaysian CI is shifting from traditional practices in projects to non-traditional methods, for example build-operate-transfer. Contractors have to join with finance companies, consultants and perhaps other contractors in order to increase their capacity for the purpose of project bidding (Arrifin, 2002).
Large firms have to be increasingly competitive to compete in a borderless world.
By: Ehsan Dehghan Manshadi
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
AN ICT VISION FOR THE MALAYSIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
INTRODUCTION
A few years ago, information technology (IT) has become a major factor in world business. It has become widely accepted that information technology including internet-based information systems are playing a vital and expanding role in business. Information technology can help all kinds of business improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their business process, decision making and managing information, thus creating a competitive environment in business. The importance of IT is reflected by the growing number of funded research initiatives worldwide including Doherty (1997), Howard (1998), Rivard (2000) and A.Aziz et al (2002). All these studies addressed the needs to explore the opportunities that lie in IT to improve the performance of the Construction Industry.
In the current context of a global and borderless economy, information technology appears to be one of the most important tools in achieving competitive advantages in every sector including construction. The capability of computing technology commonly used by business and the public has changed significantly since the last decade. In particular, the Internet which has made a major impact and all sectors are evaluating to maximise the opportunities. The establishment of e-Commerce, e-Business, e-Medicine, e-Learning and other electronic transaction processes has proven the needs for and the significance of ICT.
Information technology is also changing the global construction business and internet is the key to this change (Betts and Walker, 1999). As a result, the application of ‘e’ has led to the formation of e-Construction within the construction industry.
E-CONSTRUCTION – AN ICT VISION FOR THE MALAYSIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
E-Construction in a simple term is used to describe the transactions which are conducted electronically over the Internet. It offers open operating standard in web-based applications including information exchange, tendering, procurement, etc., for various parties involved in construction. Rahim (2000) has defined e-construction as a tool, which is concerned with the management, processing and use of information, facilitated by information and communication technology. Similarly defined by DETR (1999), e-construction involves sharing business information, maintaining business relationship and conducting business transaction by means of electronic networks.
Alshawi (2001) specifically addressed e-Construction as electronic data exchange which is an information technology based operations that has the capacity to facilitate considerable online information exchange and promote business efficiently. Unlike many IT tools, e-Construction is much concerned on the exchange of information across the project supply chain.From the above definitions, e-Construction can be considered as a tool or medium for managing and processing information to enhance business activities supported by information technology. This tool will facilitate business activities such as communications, information exchange and sharing, business processes, and transactions. It acts as a platform for the construction professionals to promote business effectively using ICT and probably enhance the knowledge within the community by information sharingIn the Malaysian construction industry, e-Construction has been launched by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) in September 1999. This programme emphasises on the management, processing and use of information, facilitated by information and communication technology. It is intended to play a vital role in helping the construction industry to become more innovative, competitive and efficient. The launching of e-Construction programme would encourage and promote greater usage of information technology among the construction industry players such as contractors, consultants, clients, government, suppliers, etc.
ARE WE READY?
Having launched the e-Construction programme for a period of almost 10 years (since September 1999), a survey has been carried out to explores the extent of which the construction companies in Malaysia are able and ready to implement the programme. The survey focuses on the readiness of medium sized contractors in Malaysia in realising electronic ways of doing construction activities. In the study, the word readiness is defined to incorporate both attitudinal and physical attributes. Attitudinal elements include the level of knowledge, optimism, awareness, perception of importance, interest and willingness of the contractors to implement the program. Personnel, investment in IT and infrastructure readiness is used to measure the physical readiness of the respondents to implement the programme.
According to the survey, the medium sized contractors are physically not ready to implement the programme due to the lack of networking access and computing infrastructure as well as inadequate investment, technical staff and knowledgeable staff. The access to the internet is the most critical factor that determines the physical readiness of the companies.e-Construction is not yet ready to play a major part in activities of the construction industry in Malaysia from the medium sized contractors’ point of view. Nevertheless, there is a common belief across the whole industry that it will benefit the users. Overall the view was that a more extensive approach has to be carried out. The absence of the right culture in the industry has become part of the industry’s inherently cautious approach to change. Indeed many companies still fail to get connected to the internet, which is without doubt, the main stumbling block towards their long term success.
The Malaysian construction workforce should be more educated, higher in knowledge, influenced by the advances in ICT especially the internet. They should be able to utilise ICT to build on their strength in a greatly expanded and globalised market.
These factors have to be undertaken into deep consideration to implement e-Construction in Malaysia. From the assessment and findings of the research, it demonstrated that the success of e-Construction is dependent on the full commitment and involvement of the construction industry players. Therefore, the contractors should be prepared to undergo a paradigm shift, which entails new ways of doing business and implementing their core business processes.
CONCLUSIONS
Technology will enable almost everything. However, one thing is certain in this rapidly changing environment, technology exposed today will be overtaken by the events of tomorrow. The emergence of new and more developed technology will continue so that we cannot stay for a long time on the same platform. Therefore, deciding on how best to apply it is the critical decision to make. The party who has the authority, such as CIDB has to critically plan and implement the e-construction programme, in such a way that the success of the programme is certain.It is interesting to note that this research has shown that the medium sized contractors are not ready to implement the programme. Some actions have to be taken to ensure the readiness of the contractors, as the main players in the industry. In order to beef up the level of readiness, the industry might need a "killer application" to put everybody in the fast lane. Major ICT applications, followed by training, seminars, awareness programmes, etc., could do the trick, forcing the industry players to equip themselves attitudinally and physically. In this way, the e-construction programme can be realised, consequently achieving its goals and the objectives, and benefiting the construction industry as a whole.
REFERENCES
1. A.Aziz, Mui, L.Y., Cheng, N.A., Yee, W.C. & Lay, W.S. (2002) A Survey on Internet Usage in the Malaysian Construction Industry, Available: www.itcon.org/ 2. Alshawi, M. (2001) E-Construction: Present and Futures, Proceeding of ICW 2001, 12 September 2001, Kuala Lumpur. 3. Betts, M. & Walker, D. (1999) Information Technology Foresight: The Future Application of the World Wide Web in Construction, Available: www.construct-it.salford.ac.uk 4. Buildon Line[online] e-Construction Portal, Available: http://ww.build-on-Line.com 5. DETR (2000) e-Business in Construction – Status, Opportunities and Role of DETR, Davis Langdon Consultancy, UK. Available: http://www.construction.detr.gov.uk 6. Doherty, J.M. (1997) A Survey of Computer Use in the New Zealand Building and Construction Industry, Salesoft CAD Solutions Ltd., New Zealand. 7. Howard, R., Kiviniemi,A. & Samuelson,O. (1998) Surveys of IT in the Construction Industry and Experience of the IT Barometer in Scandinavia, Journal of Construction IT. Available: http://www.itcon.org 8. Rahim, M.F.A. (2000) What Can the Construction Industry Benefit from the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC)? The Malaysian Surveyor, 3rd Quarter 2000 9. Rivard, H. (2000) A Survey on the Impact of Information Technology on the Canadian Architecture, Engineering and Construction Industry, Concordia University, Canada. Available : http://itcon.org
