Developing a framework for building maintenance: a case study of Malaysia's low-cost housing via soft system methodology
International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation
ISSN: 2398-4708
Article publication date: 19 July 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The cost of residential building maintenance can harmfully affect low-income earners' expenditure if not checked. A customised maintenance concept via a framework will ensure efficient and proper building maintenance operations. The outcome may keep the life cycle cost down. Studies concerning the low-cost housing (LCH) maintenance concept through a framework are scarce in Malaysia. Thus, the study aims to investigate the state of LCH and develop a framework to improve LCH maintenance practices in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted a soft system methodology (SSM) to comprehend Malaysia's LCH building maintenance practices. The SSM allowed an alternative approach to improve LCH maintenance practices via a developed framework. Virtual interviews were conducted with experts, and findings were presented. It was in line with the SSM seven steps.
Findings
The findings show that apart from the poor state of LCH maintenance, there is the absence of a framework to improve maintenance practices, especially in LCH across Malaysia's cities. The findings developed a framework that would reposition the joint management body and management corporation in collaboration with the proposed maintenance agency for better service delivery via substantive, technical and administrative aspects.
Research limitations/implications
This study's data collection is restricted to Pulau Pinang, Kuala Lumpur and Johor through a qualitative research design approach. Future research is needed to consider more extensive coverage and validate the developed framework from this study via a quantitative research design.
Practical implications
Apart from the conceptual model that was developed, the suggested framework can be employed by Malaysia's maintenance practitioners and policymakers as a guideline to improve LCH building maintenance practices across the cities.
Originality/value
This study examined Malaysia's LCH maintenance practices via SSM to identify the state of the houses, identify the information required and propose a suitable framework to improve Malaysia's LCH maintenance practices.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Funding: School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulua Pinang, Malaysia; and Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa (05-35-061890).
Special thanks to the participants for providing knowledgeable contributions to enhance the findings of this paper. The authors appreciate the comments, suggestions, and recommendations provided by the anonymous reviewers, which collectively helped hone and strengthen the quality of this manuscript during the blind peer-review process. Also, the lead author appreciate Auchi Polytechnic Management for the support and the enabling environment created during the final draft.
Citation
Ebekozien, A., Samsurijan, M.S., Aigbavboa, C. and Awo-Osagie, A.I. (2022), "Developing a framework for building maintenance: a case study of Malaysia's low-cost housing via soft system methodology", International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBPA-04-2022-0055
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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