On knowledge content in construction

Salam and dear all, According to the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) knowledge content refers to the sum of human capabilities, leadership assets and experience, technology and information capital, collaborative relationships, intellectual property, information stocks and capabilities for shared learning and utilization that can be used to create wealth and foster economic competitiveness. In a Knowledge Content Study carried out in 2007 by the EPU they found that capacity for industries in Malaysia to generate new knowledge content continues to be low. The study identified the constraints being financial and lack of English speaking workers;

• Agriculture sector - limitations in financial and English speaking workers,
• Transport equipment and automotive sectors - limitations in ICT and skills,
• Telecommunications sector followed by the IT and chemical industries have the highest knowledge content,
• Agriculture, followed by the wood products and the construction sectors have the least knowledge content.

The study proposed measures to improve knowledge content;

• Upgrade skills training programme,
• Promote sector specific training programme for SMEs,
• More university-industry linkages... and in R&D.

In relation to the construction sector the findings are expected given the state of the construction sector: continuous dependence on foreign workers, low level utilization of capital, lack of R&D, very low level university-industry linkages, etc. Key players and stakeholders of the construction sector need to do more in order to move construction forward. Universities and the industry must work together to find newer ways of doing things, we need to change our mindsets, etc. Wassalam. Source: The New Straits Times, 27th August 2009, Biznews, pB4.