Motivational Factors on Adopting Modular Coordination Concept in Industrialized Building System (IBS)

Modular coordination (MC) is recognized as a tool towards rationalization and industrialization. The implementation of MC concept in the design stage may improve the constructability and construction time. However, the implementation of MC in Industrialized Building System (IBS) implementation is still low compare to other developed countries such as the United Kingdom, Sweden and Japan. This paper examined the interrelationship between motivational factors of stakeholders in adopting MC concept using Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM). Questionnaire survey was engaged in this study to identify significant motivational factors. Then, semi-structure interviews were used to collect qualitative data. ISM was adopted to build relationship between factors and develop an initial model to promote the adoption of MC in IBS construction. Seven (7) significant motivational factors were identified in this research namely 1) ‘stakeholder’s commitment’, 2) ‘reduce site disruption’, 3) ‘increase productivity’, 4) ‘high skilled workers’, 5) ‘site sustainability (environment, economy and social benefits)’ 6) ‘standardization’ and 7) ‘enabling ‘open building’ concept’. The result using Matrice d’Impacts Croises Multiplication Applique an Clasment (MICMAC) shows that there are three factors can be categorized as Independent / Driving Factors namely ‘stakeholder’s commitment’, ‘standardization’ and ‘enabling “open building” concept’. These factors should be explored in details to enhance the adoption of IBS in Malaysia. The findings provide a very good platform for a further research in formulating an efficient solution to promote MC concept adoption among the stakeholders. This scenario will improve the deliverables of IBS construction and eliminate negative perception in its implementation.


Introduction
The development of construction industry is rapid. Advanced technology and methods need to be integrated swiftly in order to compete in this industry. Malaysia as a developing country laid a comprehensive blue print in order to ensure the industry is competitive [1]. One of the strategies is to improve the adoption of Industrialized Building System (IBS). IBS have a potential to improve sustainability and keep the GDP of the country at the promising state [2][3][4][5]. However, the adoption of IBS in Malaysia is still low due to resistance towards change and lack of information to support the transformation [5]. Therefore, it is vital to identify the motivational factors to enhance the adoption of IBS. a Corresponding author : riduan@uthm.edu.my Modular Coordination (MC) is a standard of measurement for IBS elements to coordinate the dimension and spaces. It is where a building and its components are being dimensioned and positioned in a basic unit or module known as 1 M which is equivalent to 100 mm. The implementation of MC concept towards design prefabricated components may enhance the total constructability in the construction project [6]. The modular is an intermediate stage towards an eventual evolvement of open system which allows for easy adaptation of prefabricated components to any layout and their interchangeability within the building. Malaysian Standard MS 1064 was introduced by the local Malaysia government to catalyze the development of IBS implementation.
Malaysian Standard MS 1064 was prefaced by Malaysia government which obligates architects, suppliers, and contractors to follow the standard of specification established for the size of fundamental modular unit [7]. However, the adoption of this standard is still low due to misconception and lack of motivation to use MC.

IBS and Modular Coordination
IBS is a construction system with a combination of components that promote simplification and minimise on-site work. IBS components are manufactured in a factory either on or off site. The components are then positioned and assembled into structures. The production in a controlled environment able to reduce the numbers of workers involved, shorten the construction period, increase quality of buildings, reduce cost and enhance occupational health and safety [8][9][10]. With the coordination for measurement system and open building concepts, this construction technique will improve the project deliverables.
Open building concept permits intercrossed applications. It is adaptable towards MC and standardization. Open building system enables the production of building components produce by various different factories. As the results, the products are compatible for any IBS's buildings even the components are supplied from different IBS's suppliers [8]. In order to objectify the implementation of open building system, the adoption of MC is vital as it is an international system of dimensional standardization in building.
MC usage is capable to be applied into a wide range of building technologies, ranging from component building through partial prefabrication to rationalized traditional building method. In additions, components which are coordination on a modular basic might be used in renovation programmers as well [11]. The coordination in components' dimension will allow the components to be used for any projects. However, open building system will also provide a high degree of design flexibility but required a maximum coordination between the designer and manufacturer [12]. Higher commitment is required in early involvement of project between key stakeholders [10].

Research Method
A combination of questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews were adopted in this research. First, the questionnaire survey helps to identify significant motivational factors to adopt MC as a measurement concept. Then, semi-structured interviews assist researcher to understand the interrelationships between identified factors. Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) technique was used to build relationship between and develop model around the element of a system [13]. The ISM method was applied to identify interrelationships between identified significant factors. The interviewees provide information required by sharing their industrial experiences, appropriate judgments and suggestions. Semi-structured interviews are fit in exploring stakeholders' perception regarding industrial issues enabling information delivered to interviewer to develop a final model based findings. 04017-p.2

Motivational Factors
The survey investigated 18 motivational factors which were identified from literature review. The respondents were asked to rate the level of significance of each of these factors based on their judgment and experience. The respondents were divided into contractors, designers and manufacturers. The data was then analyzed by comparison and synthesis among others. Table 1 summarizes the descriptive and inferential statistics for the "more" significant factors contributing to adoption of MC in IBS construction. Standard deviations show uniformity with all below 1, thus representing data accuracy in this research. The cut-off value in selecting the significant factors is 4.50 which indicate the factors are very significant. As a result, there are seven 'very significant' motivational factors, namely 1) Reduce site disruption, 2) Enabling "open building" concept, 3) Increase productivity, 4) High skilled workers, 5) Site sustainability (environment, economy and social benefits), 6) Standardization and 7) Stakeholder's commitment.

ISM Analysis and Results
Analysis was conducted by using ISM method leads to several level of findings. The first analysis takes place in ISM is developing Structural self-interactive matrix (SSIM). The entire interviews were conducted by implementing face to face interview. Table 2 shows on how SSIM matrixes were developed by assigning value V, A, X or O. By understanding the guidelines in Table 2, the SSIM matrix was developed as shown in Table 3. This matrix then was converted into a binary matrix which then called as an initial reachability matrix ( Table 4). The transitivity of the matrix was verified to establish the final reachability matrix (Table 5). Stakeholder's commitment Table 4. Structural self-interactive matrix.

No. Factors 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
Reduce site disruption 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 2 Enabling "Open building" concept 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 3 Increase productivity 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 4 High skilled workers 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 5 Site sustainability (environment, economy and social benefits) 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 6 Standardization 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 7 Stakeholder's commitment 1 1 1 0 1 1 1  The factors with the same reachability set and intersection set are located at the same level of the ISM hierarchy. The sets with the same reachability and intersection are given the top-level position as they will not help achieve any other variable above their own level [14]. Four iterations were conducted to allocate all factors in 3 levels (Table 6). Enabling "Open building" concept 1 2 3 4 5 6 2 6 7 2 6 2 3 Increase productivity 1 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 3 4 5 1 4 High skilled workers 1 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 3 4 5 1 5 Site sustainability (environment, economy and social benefits) Based on the level partitions of the factors and the final reachability matrix, the final ISM based model was established (Figure 1). The ISM model provides a visualized the motivational factors in adopting MC concepts in IBS implementation in a structured and systematic format. The results depict the interrelationships between the factors and their influence level in the system. It can be noted that the factors that related to benefits of MC concepts are located on the first level of the ISM model. These benefits only can be achieved if there are commitments from the stakeholders which relate to standardization and enabling the 'Open Building' concept.

Matrice d'Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée an Classment (MICMAC) Analysis
MICMAC analysis is shown in Figure 2. The analysis helps to categorize the factors into a four different cluster, namely autonomous, dependent, linkage and independent. The results confirmed that there are three factors can be clustered as independent or driving factors. The factors are 1) Stakeholder's commitment, 2) Enabling "Open building" concept and 3) Standardization. The analysis shows that these three factors are vital to ensure the successful of MC adoption. Thus, stakeholders are required to give more attention in getting all players participate in promoting MC. Local authorities should provide a strong fundamental to stakeholders by developing effective policies and legislative in implementing MC for IBS construction. On the other hand, 4 factors are clustered in the middle of 2 (linkage factors) and 3 (dependent factors). The factors are 1) Reduce site disruption, 2) Increase productivity, 3) High skilled workers and 4) Site sustainability (environment, economy and social benefits). These factors are depending to the driving factors and linked to each other.