The Practices Of Sustainability Factors And Perceived Sustainable Construction Firms’ Performance Among Contractors In Malaysia
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Date
2010
Authors
Abdo Rashideh, Waleed Mohamad
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Sustainability consists of three main pillars, namely: environmental, economic and social pillars. Its major thrust is an attempt to balance the use of resources between the present and future generations. As one of the major contributors to the global and local environmental problems, the construction industry is hard pressed to streamline its processes while executing projects. In the context of the Malaysian construction industry, there is a need for sustainability assessment framework that will integrate environmental, economic and social factors. This framework should answer a multitude of problems in achieving a higher degree of sustainability in the industry. The objectives of this research are to examine the differences in the perceptions of contractors toward sustainability; examine the relationships between sustainability factors and construction companies; and develop an assessment framework for sustainability. The hypotheses were used to understand the relationship between the sustainability aspect practices and sustainable construction firms’ performance. The major contribution of this study is the identification and integration of the concept of sustainability in the construction firms’ performance. Besides, this study also provides empirical evidence that sustainability practices are very much relevant, valid and applicable in the construction industry. Survey questionnaire and interview methods were employed to collect the data. A 5-point Likert was used in the questionnaire. The research population is construction firms operating in Malaysia and registered with the Construction Industry Development Board under the grades of G4, G5, G6, and G7. The respondents were selected by using simple random sample technique. Out of 520 questionnaires sent out, 319 answered questionnaires were returned –a response rate of 61 percent. The data were analysed by using descriptive statistics, factor analysis, correlations and multiple regression analysis. The perceptions of contractors toward sustainability factors and sustainable construction firms’ performance were almost equal. The results suggest that there were positive associations between the implementation of sustainable factors and sustainable construction firms’ performance of contractors in Malaysia. Based on the research findings, the results seem to prove that the higher the levels of the implementation of the sustainability principles, the better sustainable firms’ performance of the contractors in Malaysia. The multiple regression analysis showed that all the variables could significantly predict the sustainable construction performance of the contractors in Malaysia. This study recommends that future studies should include other players in construction industry such as consultants, suppliers, and project financiers. Comparisons of these industry players may provide a better understanding of how sustainability practices enhances sustainable construction performance of companies in Malaysia.
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Keywords
Sustainability factors and perceived sustainable construction firms , performance among contractors in Malaysia