Yong Peng, Yi Juan Luo, Pei Jiang and Peng Cheng Yong
Distribution of long-haul goods could be managed via multimodal transportation networks where decision-maker has to consider these factors including the uncertainty of…
Abstract
Purpose
Distribution of long-haul goods could be managed via multimodal transportation networks where decision-maker has to consider these factors including the uncertainty of transportation time and cost, the timetable limitation of selected modes and the storage cost incurred in advance or delay arriving of the goods. Considering the above factors comprehensively, this paper establishes a multimodal multi-objective route optimization model which aims to minimize total transportation duration and cost. This study could be used as a reference for decision-maker to transportation plans.
Design/methodology/approach
Monte Carlo (MC) simulation is introduced to deal with transportation uncertainty and the NSGA-II algorithm with an external archival elite retention strategy is designed. An efficient transformation method based on data-drive to overcome the high time-consuming problem brought by MC simulation. Other contribution of this study is developed a scheme risk assessment method for the non-absolutely optimal Pareto frontier solution set obtained by the NSGA-II algorithm.
Findings
Numerical examples verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm as it is able to find a high-quality solution and the risk assessment method proposed in this paper can provide support for the route decision.
Originality/value
The impact of timetable on transportation duration is analyzed and making a detailed description in the mathematical model. The uncertain transportation duration and cost are represented by random number that obeys a certain distribution and designed NSGA-II with MC simulation to solve the proposed problem. The data-driven strategy is adopted to reduce the computational time caused by the combination of evolutionary algorithm and MC simulation. The elite retention strategy with external archiving is created to improve the quality of solutions. A risk assessment approach is proposed for the solution scheme and in the numerical simulation experiment.
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Cheong Peng Au-Yong, Tiong Guan Saw, Shirley Jin Lin Chua, Azlan Shah Ali, Zairul Nisham Musa and Wan Siti Aisha Wan-Shukery
Although a regulatory framework was established in Malaysia to govern practising property managers, the satisfaction level on residential property management remains low. This…
Abstract
Purpose
Although a regulatory framework was established in Malaysia to govern practising property managers, the satisfaction level on residential property management remains low. This unfortunate situation necessitates a review of property managers’ job scope and their current standards of practice. Hence, this study aims to investigate the correlation between the performance of property managers in residential property management job scope and resident satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
The scope of work in property management services was first identified through a review of existing research and literature on property management. Subsequently, a survey questionnaire was administered, and the data collected was analysed to determine the relationship between the performance of the scope of work in residential building management and resident satisfaction. The research data was obtained from occupiers of residential properties and the findings formed the basis for research with an objective to enhance current property management practice.
Findings
Residential buildings represent the major building stocks of the country. The research showed that a majority (7 out of 9) of the identified scope of work significantly influence and affect resident satisfaction. Additionally, the logistic regression analysis outcome further confirms that the performance of maintenance management is a significant predictor of resident satisfaction.
Originality/value
This research identifies the critical scope of work in property management services which affects resident satisfaction. It also suggests various recommendations to improve property management services to achieve a higher level of resident satisfaction.
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Shirley Jin Lin Chua, Najilah Bt Zubbir, Azlan Shah Ali and Cheong Peng Au-Yong
Preventive maintenance is an effective maintenance strategy to ensure the constant and efficient usage of building systems and their components. The reactive-based maintenance as…
Abstract
Purpose
Preventive maintenance is an effective maintenance strategy to ensure the constant and efficient usage of building systems and their components. The reactive-based maintenance as the main strategy in high-rise residential buildings is a concern as the maintenance output resulting from the strategy could not achieve the standard level of performance. The purpose of this paper is to identify the characteristics of preventive maintenance and establish the relationship with maintenance performance in high-rise residential buildings.
Design/methodology/approach
The characteristics of preventive maintenance and maintenance performance parameters were identified through the literature review. A quantitative approach was adopted, where a questionnaire was distributed to the maintenance personnel of high-rise residential buildings. Then, ranking analysis and correlation were conducted to produce findings that help to achieve the research objectives.
Findings
The research findings indicate that there are seven maintenance characteristics significantly correlated with maintenance performance indicators (maintenance costs deviation, time variance of maintenance work, customer service and downtime rate). It is recommended that these characteristics are considered during the execution of preventive maintenance as they have a significant effect on the maintenance performance.
Originality/value
The extensive literature suggests the relationship between the characteristics of preventive maintenance and maintenance performance, but is still questionable. Thus, this research investigates the relationship between preventive maintenance characteristic and maintenance performance for high-rise residential buildings in Malaysia. The findings of the research can act as a guide for maintenance personnel to optimise maintenance performance by focusing on the highlighted preventive maintenance characteristics.
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Lyuyuan Wang, Jian Huang, Yong Peng, Yang Jia and Rong Ni
This paper aims to evaluate the corrosion resistance of fusion zones in different heat treated condition from laser welded Mg-Gd-Y alloys and analyze their intrinsic corrosion…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to evaluate the corrosion resistance of fusion zones in different heat treated condition from laser welded Mg-Gd-Y alloys and analyze their intrinsic corrosion mechanism.
Design/methodology/approach
The corrosion behavior of fusion zone from laser-welded Mg-Gd-Y alloy joints in the as-welded, ageing and solution + ageing conditions was investigated in the 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution by immersion tests.
Findings
The corroded surface of as-welded fusion zone consists of dark and bright regions, and the bright regions were composed of high-density needle-like products, whereas some different extended direction of the cracks with lots of long ultrafine needle-shaped corrosion products appeared in the dark regions. The corrosion resistance of the fusion zone is slightly decreased after the ageing treatment.
Originality/value
The solution + ageing treated fusion zone exhibits the highest corrosion resistance than that of the as-welded and ageing treated state because of the full dissolution of the cathodic coarse eutectic compound, grains growth and relatively compact protective films. The inhomogeneous distribution of the β′ can somewhat improve the corrosion rate of solution + ageing treated fusion zone when compared with base metal.
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Hong Kok Wang, Cheong Peng Au-Yong, Gabriel Hoh Teck Ling and Kian Aun Law
Under Malaysian Law, the maintenance and management of common property have traditionally been viewed as insoluble challenges in the self-organisational efforts for high-rise…
Abstract
Purpose
Under Malaysian Law, the maintenance and management of common property have traditionally been viewed as insoluble challenges in the self-organisational efforts for high-rise low-cost housing developments. As the population increases, more shared resources become heavily exploited with few willing to contribute towards the sustainability of resources. Many researchers argued a better way would be to convert these shared resources into a private or state-managed entity. Hence, with that assumption, this paper aims to examine how better physical characteristics can result in greater collective action.
Design/methodology/approach
This research paper adopted a quantitative method approach to determine how the standard of physical characteristics influenced the quality of collective action in high-rise low-cost housing. The method included a questionnaire survey of 519 parcel holders chosen via stratified purposeful random sampling from four high-rise low-cost housing areas.
Findings
The paper found a positive correlation between the quality of physical characteristics and the collective action gained. The findings highlighted that the standard of workmanship of high-rise low-cost units (including the common properties), the crime rate in the neighbourhood and the condition of lift systems – when improved – were significant positive predictors of collective action.
Practical implications
Housing developers should pay attention to the quality of both low-cost units and related common properties, as this endeavour will assist greatly in future collective action management.
Originality/value
The study was justified in terms of its originality as few research studies adopted the social-ecological system framework that focused on the correlation between the quality of physical characteristics and the collective action of parcel holders.
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Daniel Amos, Cheong Peng Au-Yong and Zairul Nisham Musa
With rising health-care costs and the financial constraints in most developing countries, prioritization of needs have become an issue of strategic importance in public hospitals…
Abstract
Purpose
With rising health-care costs and the financial constraints in most developing countries, prioritization of needs have become an issue of strategic importance in public hospitals. As a result, there is the intense competition of scare resources between core health care and non-core facilities management (FM) services. Given that financial resources are needed to facilitate the smooth operation of the FM department, this paper aims to investigate the direct and indirect effects of finance on the relationship between service quality and performance of hospital FM services.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper adopts a quantitative approach following a general questionnaire survey which was conducted on the research population. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to investigate the relationships between service quality and performance of hospital FM services.
Findings
The study highlights the relevance of service quality to improving FM performance and demonstrate the direct and indirect influence of finance to ensure quality FM services delivery to improve core health care outcomes in hospitals.
Practical implications
The result of this study should motivate hospital management to prioritize attention on FM in scare resources management in public hospitals to create and maintain a decent health-care environment for better health outcomes. Further, managerial commitment to facilitate employee training, empowerment, incentives, awards and compensation should be strengthened in the quest of ensuring quality services delivery.
Originality/value
The paper extends knowledge by mediating the influence of finance on the relationship between service quality and FM performance. Proposes a parsimonious financial mediation framework which can easily be adaptable to several developing countries health-care FM management.
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Cheong Peng Au-Yong, Shirley Jin Lin Chua, Azlan Shah Ali and Matthew Tucker
The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the maintenance prioritising for facilities services in high-rise residential buildings in Peninsular Malaysia. Maintenance…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the maintenance prioritising for facilities services in high-rise residential buildings in Peninsular Malaysia. Maintenance prioritisation is becoming more prominent in the building maintenance industry due to budget constraints, poor maintenance management and to yield better maintenance performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Two main categories with eleven facilities services that require maintenance were identified through extensive literature review. A total of 321 returned questionnaires were analysed to distinguish the relationship between the maintenance priority and cost variance. Semi-structured interviews were then conducted to validate the findings.
Findings
The findings revealed that five essential facilities services were significantly correlated to cost variance and a regression model which examines the probability of over-budget was developed. Meanwhile, the interviews recognised that maintenance prioritisation has impact towards maintenance cost.
Research limitations/implications
This research focusses on the maintenance priorities of facilities services and their effects to maintenance cost. However, it is undeniable that the maintenance cost can be affected by other factors, contributing to a lower percentage of the total variance in the regression model. Thus, it creates research opportunity to study the factors (i.e. manpower, materials, wear and tear, etc.) affecting the variance of maintenance cost.
Practical implications
This study is useful to property managers in efforts to enhance the cost performance via appropriate maintenance prioritisation. The essential facilities services should be highly prioritised compared to the value-added facilities services.
Originality/value
The paper signifies the importance of maintenance prioritisation. It serves as a guide to plan and execute maintenance planning in a more logical way within budget and time constraints.
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Cheong Peng Au-Yong, Azlan Shah Ali and Shirley Jin Lin Chua
Facilities management plays a significant role in the housing industry to support human daily routine and enhancing the productivity of the activities in and around the…
Abstract
Purpose
Facilities management plays a significant role in the housing industry to support human daily routine and enhancing the productivity of the activities in and around the residential. Nonetheless, facilities management has not been readily encouraged or adopted by the Government in Malaysia in any structured way. The maintenance approaches adopted are mostly corrective which resulting poor service delivery, poor user satisfaction and endless maintenance backlogs. Thus, this paper aims to review the implementation of preventive maintenance and importance of routine maintenance frequency for the building facilities and services in high-rise residential buildings.
Design/methodology/approach
An extensive literature review published in between 1987 to 2016 has been carried out on the implementation of preventive maintenance strategy specifically routine maintenance. The building facilities and services which are divided into essential and value-added were identified and tabulated systematically to further form a theoretical framework to demonstrate the association between routine maintenance of building facilities and services and maintenance outcome.
Findings
The findings of the study argued that the routine maintenance might affect the maintenance performance. Future research is proposed to investigate the optimal frequency of routine maintenance to enhance maintenance performance.
Originality/value
This study identified the importance of routine maintenance by providing the classification of facilities and services, which fundamentally support future research to improve the maintenance management of high-rise residential building.
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Khai Ying Soh, Shirley Jin Lin Chua, Azlan Shah Ali, Cheong Peng Au-Yong and Anuar Alias
The building maintenance management becomes more complicated nowadays, with several sourcing strategies springing up for building maintenance work provisions. Various studies…
Abstract
Purpose
The building maintenance management becomes more complicated nowadays, with several sourcing strategies springing up for building maintenance work provisions. Various studies demonstrate that the selection factors and performance measurements are both essential aspects in determining and evaluating the sourcing strategy for building maintenance management. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between the selection factors and performance measurements of sourcing strategy.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper targeted to evaluate and analyse the perceptions of the building maintenance practitioners regarding the degree of importance of selection factors and performance measurements. Through quantitative approach, the paper adopted stratified random sampling to distribute the questionnaires to the building maintenance practitioners operating in both private and government high-rise office buildings in Kuala Lumpur.
Findings
The findings highlighted the quality factors as the most important selection group factors; meantime, the ability to fulfil client’s need and requirement as well as the ability to deliver the service with reasonable reliability and predictability are identically important performance measurements. There is a significant relationship between the selection factors and performance measurement of sourcing strategy.
Originality/value
This paper provides an impetus research which uncovered the sourcing practices in the industry and guided the sourcing process in determining the appropriate sourcing strategy.
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Cheong Peng Au-Yong, Azlan-Shah Ali, Faizah Ahmad and Shirley Jin Lin Chua
Proper maintenance management ensures a long-term investment and provides a support function in business continuity to achieve organisational goal. However, inadequate involvement…
Abstract
Purpose
Proper maintenance management ensures a long-term investment and provides a support function in business continuity to achieve organisational goal. However, inadequate involvement and participation of key stakeholders in maintenance management limit the continuous improvement of maintenance performance. Currently, there is a lack of studies about the influence of key stakeholders’ involvement in maintenance. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to deal with enhancement of maintenance management through the involvement of key stakeholders.
Design/methodology/approach
This research adopted a mixed method approach to determine the relationship between involvement of key stakeholders in maintenance management and maintenance effectiveness. The approach comprised of literature review, questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews.
Findings
This research suggests a positive correlation between involvement of maintenance manager (MM), maintenance staff, organisation, user and maintenance service provider (SP) in improving the effectiveness of maintenance management. The logistic regression analysis indicated that the involvement of MM and SP are significant predictors of maintenance effectiveness. The research further identified that there was a lack of involvement of the user and SP in maintenance management.
Originality/value
The research demonstrated that all key stakeholders should value the important roles of their participation in maintenance management to ensure an optimum return on a long-term investment. To create the awareness for the involvement of key stakeholders in building maintenance, studies on the advantages of participating in building maintenance and the impacts of ignorant towards building maintenance can be beneficial to the industry.