A new book on multi-national joint venture for construction

Salam and dear all, A new book, co-edited by me with colleagues Prof K. Kobayashi of Kyoto University of Japan, Prof G. Ofori of National University of Singapore and Prof S. Ogunlana of Herriot Watt University is now available. The book is published by Thomas Telford of London.

http://www.thomastelford.com/books/bookshop_main.asp?ISBN=9780727736512%20&BookTitle=Joint%20Ventures%20in%20Construction

Wassalam.

Special announcement on conferences in October 2009

Salam and dear all, The following conferences will be held in October 2009; 1. Inaugural Conference Construction in the Muslim World - IIUM, 21 Oct 2009 2. 5th International Conference on Multi-national JV for Construction Works - IIUM, 21-22 Oct 2009 3. 2nd CLECAP (Construction Law and Economics Circle Asia Pacific) Conference - IIUM, 23 Oct 2009.

Topic to be addressed include: 1. The state of construction in the Muslim World 2. Construction education in the Muslim World 3. Multi-national JVs for Construction Works 4. Training and education for construction experts in the Asia Pacific Region For details of the above conferences including registration and special registration rates for students (to attend either one or all three conferences) please download the brochure and registration form, now available at: http://www.constructioninthemuslimworld.blogspot.com Wassalam.

Final year Dissertation, AQS4270 Part 3

Salam and dear all, Generally, the steps to be followed are:

• Select a subject area or a topic to study (sources: published lists, self, proposed by others, past dissertations, project papers, etc)
• Approval (by supervisor – through consultations)
• Process of narrowing down the broad subject area into a specific aspect of the subject on which investigations will follow (the 'funnel' process)
• Literature review (time spent here is time saved later on). Why LR? To inform self about the subject, to up-date, etc. How? Consult books, (especially) journals, past dissertations, reports, newspapers, library search, etc. Make notes, photocopies and file them all. Do not worry about writing the initial chapters yet… read, examine, assess and make decision as to how to move forward. Benefits? The outcome of LR forms basis for the initial chapters of the dissertation and for the decisions on the methodology to be used and instruments to be employed for the research. By now, some form of method statement for the study should be available, i.e. the research questions, the structure of the dissertation and the methodology to be followed
• There should be a clear focus (if not go back to reviewing literature). You will be surprised at the amount of information you have gathered and the issues you have discovered. Sieve through the information and compile only those that provide clear indications of the problems (the research questions) and indications of availability/accessibility of data for the study
• If you have done sufficiently well thus far, you should by now be able to provide breakdown of your intended research, the refined research questions (or hypothesis) to be answered, and a much clearer method of investigation (that represents your personal input). Once these issues have been resolved, you should be able to operate with minimum supervision until completion
• The carrying out of the research: Data collection: laboratory investigation, questionnaires surveys (take extra care), interviews, systematic observations, case studies, etc.
• Analysis of data and interpretation of data
• Writing-up .... Complete.

Wassalam.

Interest rates and the construction sector: the link

Salam and dear all, In my posting on 29th July 2009 Interest rates stays at 2% students asked what does lower interest rates mean to the construction sector. The following represents my attempt at answering the question: 1. Lower interest rates means that costs of borrowing money is lower (interest rates is the most critical components of the costs of borrowing); 2. Lower interest rates also mean that returns from savings is also reduced; thus making it less attractive for people to deposit money in fixed deposits; 3. Items 1 & 2 above would (theoretically) in turn enable (more) people to borrow (more) money (although their income stays the same) and invest in properties (as owner-occupier, owner but not occupier including for the purpose of speculation). 4. But of course investing in properties is not the only option as people may want to invest in other modes such as in shares, etc. 5. The situation in 3 above would in turn improve demands for properties. 6. Increases in demands for properties would in turn enable developers to consider building new properties (or to refurbish/renovate) in order to meet the expected increases in demands. 7. The above phenomena would therefore be good for the construction sector as increases in demands for properties mean more properties would be constructed... construction activities lead to availability of jobs for workers and professionals, demands for construction materials, plant and equipment, etc. 8. But of course there are other factors that must be considered such as economic cycles, taste and preference, government policies, etc. Students should refer to basic texts on economics, property investments, etc or talk to your economics lecturers. Wassalam.

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.