Mind the Gap: An Analysis of Awareness Versus Practice in the Adoption of IBS by Malaysian Contractors

Abstract

This study provides a large-scale empirical analysis of the awareness, perception, and adoption of Industrialised Building Systems (IBS) among Malaysian contractors, focusing on the gap between industry knowledge and practical implementation. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted, involving 907 contractors registered with the CIDB in Malaysia. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics to determine the levels of awareness and perception, and Pearson correlation analysis was used to identify the relationship between key variables. The results reveal that the overall awareness and positive perception of IBS among contractors are at a moderate level (Mean ? 3.4), suggesting that the system has not yet achieved full conviction within the industry. This moderate acceptance is compounded by practical barriers, with contractors identifying poor craftsmanship as a key implementation issue. Crucially, a strong, positive correlation (r = 0.685, p < 0.01) was found between the awareness of IBS benefits and the perception of its efficiency, indicating that a clear understanding of its advantages is a primary driver of confidence. By utilizing a large-scale sample, this research moves beyond preliminary findings to present a more realistic and nuanced view of the "awareness-practice gap." It concludes that the challenge is twofold: a moderate level of industry buy-in combined with significant on-site execution barriers.