BUILDING SURVEYORS’ COMPETENCIES IN SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION ACROSS DEVELOPMENT PHASES: EVIDENCE FROM MALAYSIAN PRACTICE

Authors

  • Siti Hamidah Husain School of Housing, Building and Planning, UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA
  • Naziah Muhamad Salleh School of Housing, Building and Planning, UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA
  • Adi Irfan Che Ani Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, UNIVERSITI KEBANGSAAN MALAYSIA
  • Vivian Wong Shao Yun School of Housing, Building and Planning, UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v24i44.2252

Keywords:

Building Surveyor, Competency, Building Life Cycle, Sustainable Development, Construction Industry

Abstract

Gaps in building compliance and maintenance planning often lead to performance issues after project completion. This study examines the competencies required of building surveyors in supporting sustainable construction across development phases in Malaysia. A structured questionnaire survey was administered to construction professionals from various disciplines. The data were then analysed using the Rasch Measurement Model to establish item reliability, dimensionality and competency domains. The findings indicate that building surveyors’ competencies can be categorised into technical and non-technical domains. Technical domains related to building pathology, condition assessment, and maintenance management received strong endorsement, reflecting the increasing importance of life-cycle performance. Non-technical domains, including ethics and professionalism, communication, and analytical thinking, were also strongly emphasised as enabling effective coordination and decision-making. The study highlights that building surveyors’ roles extend beyond technical execution to encompass sustainable construction across development phases, providing practical insights for industry, professional training, and education providers in supporting integrated sustainable development in Malaysia.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abdullah, S. N. F., Kamarudin, M. K. A., Mat Som, A. P., Sanopaka, E., & F. (2025). GIS-based spatial modelling to enhance tourism resilience and conservation for sustainable leadership in coastal communities. Planning Malaysia, 23(35). https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v23i35.1659

Aliu, J., & Aigbavboa, C. (2021). Key generic skills for employability of built environment graduates. International Journal of Construction Management, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2021.1894633

Ariffin, S. R., Omar, B., Isa, A., & Sharif, S. (2010). Validity and reliability of multiple intelligence items using the Rasch measurement model. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 9, 729–733. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.12.225

Árnadóttir, G., & Fisher, A. G. (2008). Rasch analysis of the ADL scale of the A-ONE. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62(1), 51–60. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.62.1.51

Ayob, M. F., Mohamed Yunus, M. Y., Hashim, K. S. H., Sapian, A. R., & Haron, A. T. (2025). Life cycle cost (LCC) of university building maintenance: A systematised review. Planning Malaysia, 23(35). https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v23i35.1694

Aziz, A. A., Masodi, M. S., & Zaharim, A. (2013). Asas model pengukuran Rasch: Pembentukan skala dan struktur pengukuran. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Bond, T. G., & Fox, C. M. (2007). Applying the Rasch model: Fundamental measurement in the human sciences (2nd ed.). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Boyatzis, R. E. (1982). The competent manager: A model for effective performance. John Wiley & Sons.

Creswell, J. W. (2012). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research (4th ed.). Pearson.

Fisher, W. P. Jr. (2007). Rating scale instrument quality criteria. Rasch Measurement Transactions, 21(1), 1095.

Garland, R. (1991). The mid-point on a rating scale: Is it desirable? Marketing Bulletin, 2(3), 66–70.

Hasim, N. K., & Salleh, H. (2024). Managerial competencies as a barometer from construction project managers’ perspective. Planning Malaysia, 22(32). https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v22i32.1498

Kiani Mavi, N., Brown, K., Fulford, R., & Goh, M. (2024). Forecasting project success in the construction industry using adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system. International Journal of Construction Management, 24(14), 1550–1568. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2023.2266676

Li, L., Sandanayake, M., Yang, A., Izadyar, N., Chen, S., O’Brien, D., & Vrcelj, Z. (2026). A virtual platform for managing building inspections during the construction of detached dwellings. International Journal of Construction Management, 26(2), 295–315. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2025.2520402

McCreary, L. L., Conrad, K. M., Conrad, K. J., Scott, C. K., Funk, R. R., & Dennis, M. L. (2013). Using the rasch measurement model in psychometric analysis of the family effectiveness measure. Nursing Research, 62(3), 149–159. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNR.0b013e31828eafe6

Md Rami, A. A., Ibrahim, A., Ismail, I. A., Wan Nor Jazmina, & Ahmed Olaitan, A. (2023). Strategic leadership towards sustainable planning for community development in Malaysia. Planning Malaysia, 21(30). https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v21i30.1404

Onubi, H. O., Yusof, N. A., & Hasan, A. S. (2020). Effects of sustainable construction site practices on environmental performance of construction projects in Nigeria. Planning Malaysia, 18(11). https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v18i11.710

Shermon, G. (2004). Competency based HRM: A strategic resource for competency mapping, assessment and development centres. Tata McGraw-Hill.

Sh Said, S. A. A., & Hayani, H. H. (2025). A study of maintenance competencies in airport building facilities. Planning Malaysia, 23(36). https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v23i36.1732

Spencer, L. M., & Spencer, S. M. (1993). Competence at work: Models for superior performance. John Wiley & Sons.

Sumintono, B., & Widhiarso, W. (2013). Aplikasi model Rasch untuk penelitian ilmu-ilmu sosial. Trim Komunikata.

Thorkildsen, T. A. (2005). Fundamentals of measurement in applied research. Pearson Education.

Tsang, K. K. (2012). The use of midpoint on Likert scale: Implications for educational research. Hong Kong Teachers’ Centre Journal, 11, 121–130.

Yang, K., Sunindijo, R. Y., & Wang, C. C. (2026). Digital transformation in the construction industry: Barriers and leadership competencies. International Journal of Construction Management, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2026.2630248

Zaheer, M. I., Ajayi, S. O., Zulu, S. L., Oyegoke, A., & Kazemi, H. (2021). Understanding the key competencies of market-ready building surveying graduates from employers’ perspectives. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 19(1), 291–314. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-01-2020-0012

Downloads

Published

2026-10-07

How to Cite

Husain, S. H., Muhamad Salleh, N., Che Ani, A. I., & Yun, V. W. S. (2026). BUILDING SURVEYORS’ COMPETENCIES IN SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION ACROSS DEVELOPMENT PHASES: EVIDENCE FROM MALAYSIAN PRACTICE. PLANNING MALAYSIA, 24(44). https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v24i44.2252