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In this article, we discuss aboutWhatsApp application practice around project managers in managing IBS construction projects. The WhatsApp application offer a great advantages, especially in collecting, managing information and data in a timely manner. Previous study highlighted effective communication become as a bridge between practitioners to share a knowledge, information and integration. Unfortunately, there is still a lack of empirical studies on how efficiencies of WhatsApp application overcome the communication barriers while managing distributed project teams on construction project. Thus this study seeks to explore communication performance perceived through WhatsApp application. The semi-structured interview methodology was used to gain in-depth knowledge from several project managers who have experiences in managing construction projects virtually through WhatsApp application. The finding from this study revealed that WhatsApp application has become an effective communication channel to overcome the barriers of communication while managing distributed teams and allowing timely information sharing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For construction stakeholders to fully embrace sustainability, its long-term benefits and associated risks need to be identified through holistic approaches. Consensus among key stakeholders is very important to the improvement of the ecological performance of industrialized building systems (IBS), a building construction method gaining momentum in Malaysia. Sustainable construction has become an increasing concern in the Malaysian construction industry nowadays. One of the approach by the Malaysian Government to enhance the ecology or sustainability is through the implementation of IBS in the construction projects. IBS has been introduced in Malaysia since year 1960s and many industries players and academics acknowledge the advantages of IBS. Nevertheless, there have several obstacles faced in order to increase the implementation of IBS and most of the obstacles are rooted from the issues of readiness. To change from conventional or traditional method to a modern method of construction or IBS is not an easy to execute. The key point of the change is a readiness and how to ready for change. Therefore, this highlights the factors which are the key readiness factors to improve sustainable construction through the implementation of IBS. This paper used qualitative approach and interview as a research technique in data collection process. Finding from data interview and literature review, there are three key factors that influence readiness in the implementation of IBS. The key factors are suitability, knowledge and ability. The output can also be used as a guideline for construction players towards the betterment of IBS implementation by introducing the factors that should be emphasized to make sure they ready to implement IBS and get advantages from it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to identify the success factors and challenges of implementing load-bearing masonry (LBM) technology in the Malaysian construction industry. The success factors and challenges of implementing LBM technology have been identified in previous literature. Further, this research has been carried out in which interviews were conducted to explore the real-life construction situation in Malaysia. The findings indicate that the success factors for LBM-technology implementation are organizational readiness, good collaboration, easier to install, skilled labor, continuous improvement of knowledge, excellent work coordination, improved efficiency of construction work, and environmentally friendly methods. The issues faced by construction firms, however, are related to a lack of knowledge, expertise, and government incentives and promotion as well as a lack of local demand. Based on these findings, it can be agreed that all the factors gathered from the previous literature are significantly related to the success factors and challenges in this study. Further study should be performed to improve the understanding of success factors and challenges on LBM-technology implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]