The industrialized building system (IBS) was proposed in several studies as the solution to meet the intensive demands for buildings. The advantages of this system can not be neglected such as reducing construction time, reducing the number of workers at site, enhancing the quality of buildings and providing safer and tidier site. However, the developers in the construction industry still prefer using the conventional method. Several studies were conducted to determine the advantages and the constraints of IBS in Malaysia; however, these studies had their limitations. Therefore, this research was conducted to develop an assessment tool to evaluate the advantage of IBS, the constraints of this system and the suggestions about improving this system in Malaysia. The information and data needed for this research were gathered by distributing 91 questionnaire forms to IBS manufacturers, consultants and contractors in Malaysia, and by conducting interviews with 32 experts from different fields. The finding indicated that time advantages, environmental advantages and quality advantages were the most valuable advantages of IBS in Malaysia. The finding also indicated that lack of experience, cost and payment were the most critical constraints of IBS in Malaysia. Moreover, the results showed that improving the academic curricula concerning IBS and modular coordination was the first suggestion to improve IBS in Malaysia. Furthermore, it is noticed that Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia needed to distribute surveys about IBS in Malaysia constantly. Therefore, the researcher has developed IBS online survey system framework to enable CIDB to conduct and manage its online surveys hence avoiding the need for paper-based surveys.
د. مريم قيس | Dr. Maryam Qays | 23940