Sample Research Proposal on PRODUCTIVITY OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN SINGAPORE

THE ABSTRACT   The study identifies the productivity of construction industry projects in Singapore. To achieve the study objectives, a questionnaire survey and interviews were carried out to collect information on potential causes of production. Responses from construction professionals are to be analyzed. The results suggest change in specifications by owner, design discrepancies, change in specifications by consultant and lack of coordination were considered as the most important causes of production in construction building projects. Recommendations were suggested based on the findings of the research and literature review. The involvement of professionals during the design phase, thorough detailing of design, involvement of owner during the design phase and approval of the design by government bodies before the inception of construction activities were suggested for controlling the causes of production orders for construction process in Singapore.           I.                    LITERATURE REVIEW   The high living standards in Singapore have generated many employment opportunities in the manufacturing and building sectors. The growth of satellite towns has accelerated as a result of high population growth. Large and complex projects have been built, attracting contractors from all over the world. Most of these contractors appear to lack a sufficient understanding of the social cultural and physical environment of Singapore (Dulaimi and Hwa, 2001). This situation, coupled with inexperienced owners, has led to inadequate designs resulting in many changes to plans, specifications and contract terms. Variations and conflicts in construction projects, at work and even in daily lives are very common, whether they increase or decrease the project cost or schedule (Ibbs, et al., 2001). Soon, construction productivity might mirror that of the manufacturing or telecommunications sectors in their heydays. When a contract allows producers to push costs onto buyers, it encourages profligacy and discourages innovation. If contracts make producers suffer for overruns, contractors will seek better, less expensive materials and processes. Productivity rises where contracts are fixed price: airplanes, automobiles. Productivity sags where contracts are cost-plus: education, healthcare, legal services and construction as a mere contract holds amazing potential to boost productivity in a construction industry in Singapore.   The ultimate goal for the construction industry in Singapore is a series of mixture models based upon engineering and durability needs; various types, shapes, and textures of materials; performance history records; construction operational needs and environmental and delivery conditions at the time of placement. The concrete producer will select that model which most closely relates to his materials and needs and adapt his resources to reproduce that model as close as possible. The construction work is undertaken under adverse climatic conditions; construction products are stationary; no two projects have the same design; the process of design and construction is long, arduous and complicated; there are many parties involved such as designers, contractors, suppliers and regulators; construction methods depend on site conditions; there is a long gestation period between inception and commissioning of the building; building owner is deeply involved in the construction process; construction involves large scale and complex assemblies; the players such as the management team and workforce are transient; and the industry is fragmented. The construction process is influenced by highly changing variables and unpredictable factors that could result from different sources. These sources include the performance of construction parties, resources availability, environmental conditions, involvement of other parties and contractual relations. As a consequence of these sources, the construction of projects may face problems which could cause delay in the project completion time (Clough and Sears, 1994).   The impressive showing in 1992 could not be maintained, as it was followed by a negative figure in 1993. Inherent problems relating to productivity in construction caused by the uniqueness of construction projects and lack of transferability of experience are exacerbated by the use of a revolving pool of foreign workers. The relatively short duration of stay of foreign construction workers in Singapore gives employers little incentive to invest in their improvement. Contractors spend little time and effort on the development of their foreign workers in terms of loyalty and inter-trade cohesiveness. The construction industry in Singapore has been burdened by an unfavorable image which has worsened as the country has made greater economic progress over time and more challenging work opportunities have emerged (The Contractor, 1992).   II.                  AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH   Construction is a huge part of the Singapore economy, accounting for roughly seven percent of the country's gross domestic product. The Singapore construction industry employs more than two million people but, the industry productivity is far lower than it could be. A more competitive construction industry could produce more output buildings from the same amount of input. People would pay less for buildings and spend the rest on other priorities or just pay the same and enjoy bigger and better buildings.   AIM The overall aim of this study is to investigate the utmost function of productivity of the construction industry in Singapore as such projects come in over budget and overdue as there is lack in-depth knowledge about how the construction world operates and why it is behind in the use of technology or in the use of standard operational methods used in most sectors as the Singapore construction industry is fragmented. OBJECTIVES a. Identify and examine the potential causes of variations in construction projects in Singapore b. Provide solutions and recommendations to increase production orders for construction buildings in Singapore c.  Give accurate data and information through research process in lieu to evidences and findings as such inefficient construction companies succeed to better managed companies in Singapore           III.                RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES   The questionnaire survey are to be given to the professionals who were involved in the construction building projects under the rebuilding and improving program in Singapore. The selection process for the respondents was carried out using the following parameters: Restricted to the institutional building projects carried out under the rebuilding and improving program in Singapore. Restricted to professionals from the developers' side who were involved in the institutional projects under the rebuilding and improving program in Singapore with the parameters in mind, the target population of 35 professionals from developer's side in Singapore was identified. The size of the sample required from the targeted population was determined statistically as follow: [n.sub.0] = (p*q)/[V.sup.2] (1) n = [n.sub.0]/[1 + ([n.sub.0]/N)] (2) Where: [n.sub.0] First estimate of sample size p: The proportion of the characteristic being measured in the target population q: Complement of p or 1-p V: The maximum standard error allowed N: The population size n: The sample size   To maximize n, p was set at 0.5. The target population, N was 35. To account for possible error in the qualitative answers from the questionnaire, the maximum standard error V was set at 10% or 0.1. Substituting in Equations 1 and 2 above, the minimum required sample was calculated to be 14.58 for the target population. This means that the minimum sample size is 15. The calculations were based on the randomness assumption. A total of 35 questionnaires were sent to the respondents, together with a covering letter explaining the purpose of the study and assuring them of anonymity. The questionnaires were delivered personally to them. In addition to sending out the questionnaires, fourteen face-to-face interviews using the questionnaires were also used to ensure that all questions were answered and the respondents have a chance to clarify any doubts with the research team. There needs to have 35 professionals with the government agency responsible for the rebuilding and improvement program. 29 professionals responded to the survey. 29 questionnaires were eventually returned and 14 face-to-face interviews to be completed. In some cases, the lack of strategic planning is very likely to cause procurement problems, for instance, the lack of strategic planning may initiate delays in procurement at the construction site, eventually that may affect the project adversely be revealed through in-depth interviews with the professionals with the government agency that the developer communicated to the contractors only through the consultant. This practice is a norm in the Singapore construction industry. Through survey, the developers have revealed other causes of productivity orders for construction projects in Singapore.   IV.               ANTICIPATED FINDINGS/CONTRIBUTIONS TO KNOWLEDGE   The study presented in-depth analyses of the causes of variation orders for institutional building projects in Singapore. This may assist professionals in analyzing variations and taking proactive measures for reducing variation orders. Hence, the study is valuable for all the professionals involved with developing the institutional projects. This will contribute towards the better control of variation orders and enable the professionals to take advantage of beneficial variations when the opportunity arises without an inordinate fear of the negative impacts. Finally, this study will survey developers of institutional buildings in Singapore as further works can be extended to survey the consultants and the contractors who have carried out projects to determine if such views meet the needs for the increase in productivity. The government of Singapore may have initiate a major program of rebuilding and improving existing construction buildings to ensure that the new generation of Singaporeans would get the best opportunities to equip them with the information technology available. Furthermore, the study is part of a larger research study that is being carried out in Singapore for developing a knowledge-based system for effective management of productivity in the construction industry.