Zayyana Shehu, Gary D. Holt, Intan R Endut and Akintola Akintoye
Construction projects within Malaysia are plagued by time overruns that can transform what should have been successful projects, into those incurring additional costs…
Abstract
Purpose
Construction projects within Malaysia are plagued by time overruns that can transform what should have been successful projects, into those incurring additional costs, disagreements, litigation and in some cases abandonment. To help better understand this problem, the purpose of this paper is to investigate Malaysian project characteristics in relation to time overruns.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 150 Malaysian quantity-surveying organisations provided data relating to recent projects they have worked on. Project characteristics considered in analysis are new build and refurbishment, public and private sectors, procurement methods used, nature of projects and tendering methods.
Findings
Public sector projects were found more prone to overruns than those in the private sector; refurbishment projects experienced better time performance than new build; construction management demonstrated better time performance than design-build or traditional procurement; and infrastructure projects/negotiated tendering, performed better than selective/open tendering, respectively. The study also developed a linear model to predict project duration, based on contract period.
Research limitations/implications
The study adds a geographically specific detailed analysis to the extant literature of project performance generally and to that of time overruns more specifically.
Practical implications
Findings provide stakeholders with information that may help mitigate the frequency of project delays among construction projects, especially in Malaysia.
Originality/value
The analysis and modelling of time overrun in relation to Malaysian project characteristics in this way is novel.
Details
Keywords
Zayyana Shehu, Intan R. Endut and Akintola Akintoye
The delivery of construction projects in Malaysia is plagued by time overruns, which turns what should have been successful projects into those incurring additional costs, or…
Abstract
Purpose
The delivery of construction projects in Malaysia is plagued by time overruns, which turns what should have been successful projects into those incurring additional costs, or money-losing ventures; as well as leading to various other unexpected negative effects and faute de mieux situations. The purpose of this research is to assess those factors leading to time overrun in Malaysian construction projects. The perceptions of public and private sectors, contractors, clients, and consultants are compared relative to a list of factors derived from the review of extant literature in project delay.
Design/methodology/approach
The research data were collected through an industry-wide questionnaire survey circulated across the Malaysian construction industry. The research develops a list of 84 time overrun factors. Responses were collected from 49 clients, 51 contractors, and 105 consultants, to explore and analyse the major factors that are responsible for causing time overrun based on sectors (public and private), organisations (clients, contractors and consultants) and professional roles.
Findings
Project delays beyond contract dates are predominantly caused by contractors and are usually associated with financial factors. “Cash flow problems faced by the contractors” was found the major factor, which contributed to project delays, whereas “storage on site” was seen as the least significant factor.
Practical implications
It is noteworthy that the findings in this research have a regional focus; it is, therefore, suggested that readers from other sections of the world exercise caution in applying the findings. As it is believed that every construction industry has its nature, culture and regulations, these factors can change as a result of such differences.
Originality/value
This research provides stakeholders with information on factors, which, if properly understood, can make project delays less likely.