Acceptance of sustainable residential building in Malaysia

Author: Iloka Benneth Chiemelie

Published: 1/15/2014

Summary of findings on acceptance towards sustainable residential building in Malaysia

Test of reliability

Case Processing Summary
		N	%
Cases	Valid	70	100.0
	Excludeda	0	.0
	Total	70	100.0
a. Listwise deletion based on all variables in the procedure.

Reliability Statistics
Cronbach's Alpha	N of Items
.434	37

In every statistical data gathered, it is important to conduct the test of reliability as it will help to determine whether the gathered data is reliability. The implication is that reliable data are considered to be suitable for analysis and the finding from such data can easily be integrated into reality. However, in cases where the data has been deemed to be unreliable, finding from such data cannot be integrated into reality. As such, the question will then be asked as to what degree gathered data will be considered to be reliable. In primary researches, the figure has been noted to fall in the range of 0.50 or above, where the higher the obtainable value, the higher the reliability of the given data.

In any case, it is important to note that there are quite a number of factors that influences the degree of sustainability obtainable from any given data. Such factor includes the volume of the gathered data. The higher the gathered data, the higher the reliability from that data as compared with other data that are low in volume. As such, this might be considered to be the main reason why the reliability of the data illustrated above is below 0.50. The reliability as found from the analysis is 0.434. In any case, it must be acknowledged that the data is still significant as it is by far below the negative margin. Additionally, if the fact that the data gathered is only 70 and the responses can be physically proven, then there is no much need to argue about whether the data should be considered reliable because in essence it is actually reliable.

Data quality

The measure of data quality is also part of the test of reliability, and it revolves around understanding the possibility of the data to impact heavily on the finding to be discovered from the analysis.  This data can be described as being high in quality because the questionnaire were designed based on the literature review, and the gathered data are based on  designated responder profile which puts the data in the position of being able to yield the most significant influence on the overall analysis. Additionally, the data tested on variables that are related to the research topic in the form of understanding the barriers to sustainable residential building and also understanding the benefits of such practices. Other tests include the understanding of way to implement sustainability in residential building and the understanding that the public associates with such activity.

Section A

Demographic data

In this section of the analysis, the undertaking will be to understand the variables in its individual state by analysing the finding from a descriptive view that compares the variables against on another.

Types of company responders work in

Type of your organization/company
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	developer	13	18.6	18.6	18.6
	consultant	28	40.0	40.0	58.6
	contractor	20	28.6	28.6	87.1
	others	9	12.9	12.9	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

From the above analysis, it can be seen that most of the responders work in a consulting firm as this company represents 40% of the overall response with a total of 28 responses. Following it is the contractor sections, then the developers and finally others. The implication is that the responders are well in line to understand the value of the question and contribute the most significant of answers and as such it will improve the overall value of the gathered data.

Considering the fact that most of the responders come from a consulting firm, it must be stated that the findings from this data will be very significant. This is because the responders from the consulting firm are better positioned to understand the need for sustainable residential building in Malaysia and the ways in which sustainability can be implemented in the Malaysian setting. Since the consultants work in together with both developers and contractors in offering them the right base for analysing situations in the construction industry, it can also be stated that they will be better positioned to communicate the need of embarking on sustainable residential building to both the contractors and the developers.

Position in organization

Position in the organization
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	project manager	19	27.1	27.1	27.1
	Engineer	21	30.0	30.0	57.1
	architect / designer	21	30.0	30.0	87.1
	Others	9	12.9	12.9	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

Another variable that was loaded into the questionnaire is the variable for understanding the position of responders in their respective organizations. From the analysis, it can be seen that most of the responders work as engineers and architect or designers in their respective companies. Such a position is a reflection of the idea that they have been through numerous project experiences and conceive that there is a need for sustainability to be integrated into the residential building projects in Malaysia. This reflection is further strengthened by the fact that project managers made up the second largest responders with 27.1% of the total response

Years of experience in construction company

Number of experience in construction company
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	<5	36	51.4	51.4	51.4
	5-10	21	30.0	30.0	81.4
	11-15	10	14.3	14.3	95.7
	>15	3	4.3	4.3	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

Following the understanding of the positions that responders hold as described above, the next step is to understand the years of experience that these responders have had in the construction industry. The analysis shows that most of the responders have had less than 5 years of experience in the industry with the 51.4% of the total response being represented by the number of people who fall within this experience level. However, following closely is the number of responders that have been in the construction industry between 5 to 10 years at a very significant value of 30%. 14.5% is the figure that represents responders who have been in the industry for more than 10 years but lesser than 15 years. A general notion from this analysis is that the responders who have been in the industry for more than 5 years represent 49.95 of the total response and this puts the whole data gathering in a position of being highly valuable as it implies that the responders are well positioned to understand the questions being asked and the implication of the questions in the whole response system. This is because such a high number of experiences in terms of age will put them in a better positioned to understand the concepts of sustainability, how to apply it in residential building and possible limitations to such applications.

Level of education

Education level
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	PhD	8	11.4	11.4	11.4
	Masters Degree	18	25.7	25.7	37.1
	Bachelor	39	55.7	55.7	92.9
	Diploma	5	7.1	7.1	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

Education is also an important variable, and its importance is stressed on the fact that when people are well educated, then they are better positioned to understand the concepts being stressed on in the questionnaire. Education level will also increase the potential of the responders to present more accurate and reliable contributions in the overall case. As such, it can be seen that education is an important variable in the whole concept understanding sustainable residential building in Malaysia. From the above analysis, responders with Bachelor degree make up 55.7% of the total response, followed by does with master degree, then those with PhD and finally those with diploma. Considering the fact diploma graduates make up only 7.1%, it can be stated that the responders in this case are well educated and the implication is that they are better positioned to lay down significant contributions to the case being analysed.

Previous involvement in project and type of project involved in

Have your every involved in a sustainable building project?
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	yes	50	71.4	71.4	71.4
	no	20	28.6	28.6	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

type of primary project involved
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	office building	13	18.6	18.6	18.6
	Residential	23	32.9	32.9	51.4
	Campus	28	40.0	40.0	91.4
	Others	6	8.6	8.6	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

Another important issue in this demographic analysis is to understand whether the responders have been previously involved in any project and the form of project that they have been involved in. This is because, their experience in sustainability related project will mean that they can contribute significantly on the finding being laid down in this paper. From the above tables, the finding is that 71.4% of the responders in this case have previously involved in a sustainability project before and the form of projects involved stretches across different sectors with campus representing the highest field at 40%, followed by residential buildings at 32.9%.

From the above demographic analysis, it can be seen that the responders are well positioned to understand the whole questions contained in this analysis and as such contribute significantly in enhancing sustainability in the construction industry of Malaysia.

Descriptive analysis

This section will look more into understanding the variables loaded into the questionnaire it is related to the research objectives. As such, it will be a form of descriptive analysis which analyses the variables individually in order to better understand that influences in the overall research.

Section B

Understanding the barriers to sustainable residential building in Malaysia

Building demand
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	strongly disagree	4	5.7	5.7	5.7
	Disagree	5	7.1	7.1	12.9
	Neutral	6	8.6	8.6	21.4
	Agree	20	28.6	28.6	50.0
	strongly agree	35	50.0	50.0	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

One of the barriers discussed earlier as having high influence on the potential of sustainability not being adopted in the Malaysian residential building is the issue of lack of demand for such houses. One of the major barrier to adoption of sustainable residential building in Malaysia as discussed in the literature review is the issue of the lack of demand for such houses as a result of the fact that they are more expensive than the conventional housing system which is also quite common in the Malaysian market. The finding above is in support of such statement as it clearly indicates that 78.6 of the total response agree to the fact that the main barrier to the adoption of sustainable residential building in Malaysia and the main reason is because of the associated high price tag.

Waste Management
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	strongly disagree	7	10.0	10.0	10.0
	Disagree	11	15.7	15.7	25.7
	Neutral	10	14.3	14.3	40.0
	Agree	16	22.9	22.9	62.9
	strongly agree	26	37.1	37.1	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

It was discovered in the review of literature that even when sustainable residential building are implemented, there is still the issue of understanding the right approach to waste management which is very significant in the Malaysian setting as a result of the fact that some of the issues have been described as reckless in handling waste related issue. For instance, it was found that while the houses might be well sustainable, the lack of efficient waste management system will definitely influence the potential of such sustainability to last longer. Most of the responders also agree to such argument as can be seen from the number of responders (42 out of total of 70) who said that waste management is a barrier.

Geographic features
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	strongly disagree	8	11.4	11.4	11.4
	Disagree	5	7.1	7.1	18.6
	Neutral	7	10.0	10.0	28.6
	Agree	20	28.6	28.6	57.1
	strongly agree	30	42.9	42.9	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

Another issue is the form of geographic features. It was discovered in the literature review that some of the areas are not suitable for construction and the lack of lands means that the focus in Malaysia will be development of building and not centred on whether it is sustainable or not. As such, this is a barrier and it comes in the form of 71.5% of the total responders that agreed to such statement by stating that geographic features also pose a threat to the level of sustainability that will be achieved in residential buildings in Malaysia.

Environmental policies
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	strongly disagree	4	5.7	5.7	5.7
	Disagree	6	8.6	8.6	14.3
	Neutral	7	10.0	10.0	24.3
	Agree	4	5.7	5.7	30.0
	strongly agree	49	70.0	70.0	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

The lack of environmental policies that are well enacted and put into action is also another reason why sustainability might not be much integrated into the Malaysian residential buildings. This was also supported by the responders as they account for 75.7% of the total people who agreed to such statement. This is also in line with the presented documented in the literature review where it was stated that the lack of environmental policies services as a hindrance to the adoption of sustainable residential building in the country.

High capital investment required
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	strongly disagree	5	7.1	7.1	7.1
	Disagree	8	11.4	11.4	18.6
	Neutral	3	4.3	4.3	22.9
	Agree	21	30.0	30.0	52.9
	strongly agree	33	47.1	47.1	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

This is more on the investors’ side, and it is based on understanding whether the amount of capital investment required for such projects serve as barrier to its adoption. Understanding the barriers in terms of the investors is because they are the people with the highest influence on the adoption of sustainable residential building in Malaysia. The finding reveals that 77.1% of the responders think that such statement is true and the implication now because that the lack of fund from the investors will negatively influence the adoption of sustainable residential building in Malaysia.

Hidden cost
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	strongly disagree	8	11.4	11.4	11.4
	Disagree	11	15.7	15.7	27.1
	Neutral	4	5.7	5.7	32.9
	Agree	19	27.1	27.1	60.0
	strongly agree	28	40.0	40.0	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

Still on the same aspect of understanding the influence of cost on the adoption of sustainable residential building in Malaysia, the above question reflects on both the side of the investors and the buyers by understanding where hidden cost are associated with barriers that hinders them from adopting sustainable residential building in the country. This is because unlike the conventional residential building that has well defined costs, this is not similar in the case of sustainable residential building because the technologies are still not well refined as compared with the conventional approach. 62.1% also agree to this statement and it makes it significant.

Lack of government investment
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	Disagree	6	8.6	8.6	8.6
	Agree	12	17.1	17.1	25.7
	strongly agree	52	74.3	74.3	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

This is also another issue to be looked into because governments have the highest potential of sourcing such projects for a long time, and it can be stated that their level of funding from the government will definitely influence the extent of such project becoming a success. The finding from the analysis shows that the Malaysian government is well lagging behind in the sense that the 91.4% of the responders agree to such statement. Considering the fact that the amount of responders in this case represents the highest figure in terms of responders that agree with it, it can be stated that the responder think that the government have a high role to play in the issue of enhancing the level of adoption of sustainable residential building in Malaysia.

Investment doesn't guarantee profit
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	strongly disagree	5	7.1	7.1	7.1
	Disagree	10	14.3	14.3	21.4
	Neutral	4	5.7	5.7	27.1
	Agree	17	24.3	24.3	51.4
	strongly agree	34	48.6	48.6	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

This variable is designed around understanding what responders think about the notion that investment in such project doesn’t necessary means that profit will be guaranteed. Since the customers are scared off as a result of price, it can easily be deduced that such statement is true and responders in this paper agree to such as 51 responders out of the total 71 agree to such statement.

Lack of knowledge
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	strongly disagree	4	5.7	5.7	5.7
	Disagree	8	11.4	11.4	17.1
	Neutral	12	17.1	17.1	34.3
	Agree	4	5.7	5.7	40.0
	strongly agree	42	60.0	60.0	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

Knowledge about any given product or service also influences the consumers decision and this is no difference in terms of the sustainable residential building project in Malaysia as a total of 65.7% of the responders agree that lack of knowledge will influence the decision to adopt sustainable residential building negatively.

Lack of technical understanding
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	strongly disagree	10	14.3	14.3	14.3
	Disagree	7	10.0	10.0	24.3
	Neutral	5	7.1	7.1	31.4
	Agree	18	25.7	25.7	57.1
	strongly agree	30	42.9	42.9	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

This is more towards the production side, and the notion is that lack of technical understanding in relation to how to build sustainable residential houses and also manage such houses after production will have a negative influence on the adoption. Responders also concur to such statement.

Insufficient supply of green product
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	strongly disagree	3	4.3	4.3	4.3
	Disagree	4	5.7	5.7	10.0
	Agree	19	27.1	27.1	37.1
	strongly agree	44	62.9	62.9	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

In order to ensure that the project is a success, there is also needs to have a sufficient supply of green products which are necessary in the production process.90% of the responders agree to such statement and as such it becomes clear that it has a negative influence on the adoption of sustainable residential building in Malaysia.

Inefficient enforcement of policies
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	strongly disagree	3	4.3	4.3	4.3
	Disagree	13	18.6	18.6	22.9
	Neutral	3	4.3	4.3	27.1
	Agree	21	30.0	30.0	57.1
	strongly agree	30	42.9	42.9	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

This is the last variable that was loaded in the understanding of barriers to sustainable residential building in Malaysia, and responders in general still agree that the lack of well enforced policies influences the level of adoption of sustainable residential building in the country.

Section C

UNDERSTANDING THE BENEFITS OF SUSTAINABLE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING IN MALAYSIA

Reduced air pollution and greenhouse gas emission
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	strongly disagree	13	18.6	18.6	18.6
	Disagree	3	4.3	4.3	22.9
	Neutral	2	2.9	2.9	25.7
	Agree	26	37.1	37.1	62.9
	strongly agree	26	37.1	37.1	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

Responders (74.2%) generally think that sustainable residential building will significantly reduce the level of air pollution and green house emission.

Reduced volumes of solid waste
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	strongly disagree	2	2.9	2.9	2.9
	Disagree	7	10.0	10.0	12.9
	Neutral	6	8.6	8.6	21.4
	Agree	19	27.1	27.1	48.6
	strongly agree	36	51.4	51.4	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

78.5% of the responders also agree that sustainable residential building will also reduce the volume of waste in the society.

Decrease in use of natural resources and lower negative impact on ecosystem
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	strongly disagree	8	11.4	11.4	11.4
	Disagree	4	5.7	5.7	17.1
	Neutral	4	5.7	5.7	22.9
	Agree	21	30.0	30.0	52.9
	strongly agree	33	47.1	47.1	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

Increase sources of water supply
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	strongly disagree	3	4.3	4.3	4.3
	Disagree	13	18.6	18.6	22.9
	Neutral	4	5.7	5.7	28.6
	Agree	24	34.3	34.3	62.9
	strongly agree	26	37.1	37.1	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

The two tables above are highlighting the environmental benefits of sustainable residential building in Malaysia, and the analysis clearly shows that responders agree that sustainable residential building will reduce the use of natural resources and as such provide a more cleaner source of water supply in the country.

Lower energy cost
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	strongly disagree	5	7.1	7.1	7.1
	Disagree	9	12.9	12.9	20.0
	Neutral	5	7.1	7.1	27.1
	Agree	16	22.9	22.9	50.0
	strongly agree	35	50.0	50.0	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

Another benefit comes in the form of reduced cost of energy consumption and majority of the responders agree that sustainable residential building reduces energy cost. The main reason is because such houses adopt the sun as source of energy the energy from the sun is free.

Builders save
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	strongly disagree	6	8.6	8.6	8.6
	Disagree	7	10.0	10.0	18.6
	Neutral	4	5.7	5.7	24.3
	Agree	16	22.9	22.9	47.1
	strongly agree	37	52.9	52.9	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

Higher market value
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	strongly disagree	5	7.1	7.1	7.1
	Disagree	11	15.7	15.7	22.9
	Neutral	3	4.3	4.3	27.1
	Agree	25	35.7	35.7	62.9
	strongly agree	26	37.1	37.1	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

The two tables above highlights the importance of sustainable residential building to investors, and the implication is that investors will be able to save as sustainable residential building incurs lower production cost as a result of the high level of technological adoption in the system. Still on that same note, the responder (51 out of the total 70) agree that  sustainable residential building have high market value and as such investors will be ripping high profits from such investments.

Section D

Level of acceptance

Sustainable residential building is important in the construction industry
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	strongly disagree	2	2.9	2.9	2.9
	Disagree	9	12.9	12.9	15.7
	Neutral	4	5.7	5.7	21.4
	Agree	19	27.1	27.1	48.6
	strongly agree	36	51.4	51.4	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

At 78.5% of the total response, it can be seen that most of the responders agree to the statement that sustainable residential building is an important concept in the construction industry, and this is a direct highlight of the importance of this concept to be adopted in the construction industry.

Sustainable residential building is suitable to be applied in construction industry
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	strongly disagree	10	14.3	14.3	14.3
	Disagree	8	11.4	11.4	25.7
	Neutral	8	11.4	11.4	37.1
	Agree	8	11.4	11.4	48.6
	strongly agree	36	51.4	51.4	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

Still stressing on the previous argument on the need for sustainable residential building, this concept is focused on understanding such concept in the construction industry and most of the responder agree that it is very vital in the construction industry. The reason for such can be linked to the fact that such concept has a high potential of inducing more skills in the engineer and increasing innovation if it is adopted in the construction industry.

Knowledge is the key factor for promoting sustainable residential building
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	strongly disagree	2	2.9	2.9	2.9
	disagree	9	12.9	12.9	15.7
	neutral	2	2.9	2.9	18.6
	agree	22	31.4	31.4	50.0
	strongly agree	35	50.0	50.0	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

It can be seen from the above table that the argument is well aligned with the earlier statement that sustainable residential building potentially increases the flow of knowledge in the construction company through a subsequent increase in the level of innovation. This is support by the 57 out of the 70 responders who agree that knowledge is very vital in the construction industry.

Awareness of professionals about the sustainable residential building
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	strongly disagree	5	7.1	7.1	7.1
	Disagree	14	20.0	20.0	27.1
	Neutral	4	5.7	5.7	32.9
	Agree	20	28.6	28.6	61.4
	strongly agree	27	38.6	38.6	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

Even though knowledge has been viewed as the key attribute towards the adoption of sustainable residential building, it has to be understood that awareness is also important because the professionals will only be able to adopt such approach if they are aware of its existence. This is the variable tested in the above table, and it was determined by the 67.2% of responders who agree that awareness of the concept is very important as it determines the potential of adoption in the Malaysian construction industry.

Agreement of professional about developing sustainable residential building
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	disagree	4	5.7	5.7	5.7
	neutral	6	8.6	8.6	14.3
	agree	1	1.4	1.4	15.7
	strongly agree	59	84.3	84.3	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

Another variable that was tested is the level of agreement amongst professional that implementation of sustainable residential building is important in the Malaysian market, and amazingly, 85.7% of these professionals agree to such statement. The is no clear as these professionals have an understanding of what the concept is all about and how it can be implemented. In that case, their agreement that it is very important now means that the concept is actually important in reality.

Sustainable residential building is the best way to move forward and be more competitive in the construction industry
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	strongly disagree	10	14.3	14.3	14.3
	disagree	4	5.7	5.7	20.0
	neutral	6	8.6	8.6	28.6
	agree	5	7.1	7.1	35.7
	strongly agree	45	64.3	64.3	100.0
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

The above table takes a sweep look towards understanding the concept as it is applicable in the business setting. Basically, the underlying fact is that the main reason for business operations is for profit making and the construction is no exception to such statement as the shareholders need to be rewarded for their investment in sustainable residential building. The underlying element from the above analysis is that 71.4% of the responders agree that sustainable residential building is vital for maintaining competiveness in the industry and the reason can be  basically aligned to the fact that it can be used to differentiate the services offered by a given construction industry with what is obtainable form others and as such increase the demand for their services in the real estate setting.

Section E

Implementation of sustainable residential building

Do you think there are any barrier and beenfit issues regarding implementing sustainable residential building in Malaysia?
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	yes	58	82.9	82.9	82.9
	no	12	17.1	17.1	17..1
	Total	70	100.0	100.0

From the above analysis, it can be seen that most of the user agree with the notion presented in the research above, in the sense that they generally feel that there are numerous barriers and benefits associated with adopting and implementing sustainable residential building in Malaysia. Such an understanding means that these responders are well positioned to make the decision of whether or not they will implementing such practices, and the decision will be more positive if these responders associated such practice with higher positivity, or less if such practice is associated with higher negativity.

The most reoccurring comments made by the responders is the need for governments to be really involved in such projects as the essence is to increase sustainability of the present generation and create the right platform for sustainability of the future generation. Additionally, the high level of financial investment required for such projects serves as hindrance to investors’ intention to invest in such project and this makes investment from the government highly important as it can be used to enhance the level of adoption and implementation of such concept.

Summary of finding

Basically, the research methodology was designed in such a way that the data gathering will be able to stretch through all the theoretical concepts discussed in the literature review in order to understand if the concepts are in line with what is obtainable in the real world setting. The finding is an indication that the sustainable residential buildings have numerous benefits in Malaysia, and such benefits come in the form of economic, environmental and social benefits. While the amount of money required for such investment is high, it is important to understand that such an investment will also have high returns in the sense that the market value is significantly high, while the production cost is reduced as a result of technological advancements.

In any case, it was also discovered that a number of factors influences the potential of sustainable residential building to be adopted in the country and these factors also come in the economic, environment and social form. However, the finding generally show that when sustainable residential building is adopted, the benefits out weight the potential costs incurred to ensure that such a process becomes a success.

CONCLUSION

Numerous literatures have discussed the increasing adoption of technologies in the modern world and such adoption has been as a result of subsequent increase in the level of technological development. Technological advancement has penetrated numerous corners in the modern business environment, and one of such corners is the construction industry. Understanding the influence of technology in the construction industry has been a concept that has been studied for long, and the reason is because technology is fast changing in the industry. While there are different sectors in the construction industry, most of the researches have focused on the residential building scope because it is directly being influences by numerous pressures and policies of governments across the world.

The main focus of the global debates in recent years have been centred on understanding how to eliminate or possible some of the environmental issues facing the world. A good example of such issue is the issue of global warming – which is basically centred around understanding how the impact of the sun can be reduced on the earth. The increasing heating of the earth is result in poor agricultural output, flooding, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions as well as other environmental hazards. These issues have significant influence on the survivability of the human race and as such it is important to understand ways in which such issues can be reduced.

While numerous options for reducing such issues come in the form of increased government policies, education and a host of other solutions, the most debated is the option of sustainable development. Sustainability as described in the review of literature basically involves making available solutions for meeting the needs of the present generation, without comprising the potential of the future generation to meet their own needs. The implication is that the needs of both the present and future generations must be meet irrespective of the level of such needs. However, economic terms have shown that while the needs of human are unlimited, the resources for satisfying such needs are actually limited and the question is then as to how such limited resources will be used to satisfy both the needs of the present generation and that of the future generation. This question is what this paper seeks to address with a case reference to Malaysia and the answer comes in form of increasing the level of sustainable development in the construction industry.

The paper was designed around understanding the concept of sustainable development of residential building in Malaysia, in relation to the barriers and benefits of such concepts and the underlying factor that influences the implementation and adoption of such concept. On that note, it was observed that the best approach would be a primary research as it would allow a direct response platform that will be used to lay justifiable foundations on the concepts being review. In view of that, theories were review to understand what already exists in the field being studied and the discoveries showed that a numerous barriers exists in terms of implementing sustainable residential building and these barriers come in the form of economic, environmental, and social barriers. Although these barriers exist, it was also found from the review of literatures that there are numerous benefits associated with such investment and these benefits also come in the form of economic, environmental, and social benefits.

In any case it was noted that since such investments require huge financial capital, there is a need for the government to be well involved as it would serve as support for strengthening its nationwide adoption. However, the discovery showed that government support is far lacking and this is the main reason why such projects are not as successful as it should be. Questionnaire where designed based on this discoveries and the needs for such question was to conduct a primary study of the concept being reviewed.

The data gathered from the questionnaire comes from different staffs in the construction industry and the findings generally align the world application with what was obtainable from the review of literature. This is because, the finding also reviewed that while the adoption of sustainable residential building is important in the society in order to reduce the negative influence of the construction industry on the world, a number of barriers exist in the form of economic, environmental and social barriers. In terms of the economic barriers, it was found that the cost of such projects is very expensive as compared to that of conventional housing projects, and even when such projects are successfully implemented, there is a need for the market to make purchase in order to recover the investment. However, such purchases are not forth coming as the market associates it with higher price as compared with conventional buildings. On an evaluative ending, the implication is that investors invest numerous capitals, but their investments don’t yield the expected profit as buyers are not keen on sustainable residential buildings. The end point is that investors will be finally discouraged and as such the government will need to play important roles in order to ensure that continuity is enhanced in such projects.

While a number of barriers have been associated with sustainable residential building, it is important to understand that numerous benefits are associated with such projects. These benefits come in the form of economic, environmental, and social benefits as well. The economic benefits come in the form of the fact that such constructions have reduced production cost as a result of advanced technologies that are adopted in the production process. Although the market demand might be poor, when such demands are actually present, the market values are high. This high market value is beneficial the investors because they will be able to recover the high investment as the high market value will cover such expenses. On the environmental side, sustainable residential buildings have numerous benefits and this is the most discussed benefits of such building. The benefits comes in the form of reduced negative impact on the environment through the adoption of green technologies. Most the energy used in sustainable houses are sourced from the sun and this reduces the consumption cost for owners.

This creates a form of balance between the benefits and barriers. In any case, there seems to be no negativity associated with such projects and as such it can be stated that the focus should be focusing understanding how the positive value can because they benefits are higher in terms of the value it brings along with it in terms of economic, environmental and social benefits. On that ground, it must be concluded that the Malaysian government should enhance the adoption of sustainable residential building in the country in order to ensure that the nation able to advance its eco-contribution in terms of ensuring sustainable environment and also sustainable business operations. As such, the government of Malaysia are encouraged to enact policies and measures that are designed towards ensuring that the economic system is designed in such a way that sustainability if the main focus of every activity in its system.