Date of Award

2-10-2026

Thesis Type

PhD

Document Type

Thesis

Divisions

Faculty of Built Environment

Department

Department of Quantity Surveying

Institution

Universiti Malaya

Abstract

Public sector construction projects play a crucial role in economic development and public service delivery, requiring effective project management to ensure optimal public expenditure and successful outcomes. Selecting an appropriate Project Delivery Method (PDM) is a critical yet unstructured process in the Malaysian public sector, influenced by various constraints such as administrative regulations, stakeholder interests, and policy compliance. Despite existing studies on PDM decision-making, research on Malaysia’s public sector remains limited. This study aims to develop a decision-making mechanism for determining appropriate PDM for Malaysia's public sector construction projects. The research adopts an interpretivist approach using a qualitative multiple-case study design and applies the Delphi Method to achieve expert consensus. Data collection involved 31 participants from multiple ministries and technical departments, with two rounds of semi-structured interviews. A thematic analysis of the first round identified initial selection criteria and decision-making frameworks, which were validated and refined through member checking and further interviews in the second round of the Delphi Method. The final framework was established using content analysis and deductive reasoning. Findings indicate that PDM decision-making in Malaysia is predominantly prescriptive and experience-driven, with conventional delivery methods prevalent and alternative PDMs selected without a structured mechanism. The study identifies 30 success criteria essential for achieving project objectives and outcomes, along with nine critical selection criteria, including Government Development Policy, Administrative and Regulatory Policy, Project Success Criteria, Project Characteristics, Client’s Delivery Planning, Executor Capacity, Industry Player Readiness, and Workable PDM Options. These criteria are structured to align with public sector project planning requirements, forming a descriptive PDM decision-making framework. This research contributes to knowledge by advancing public sector governance theory in PDM decision-making, extending institutional theory by demonstrating how sector-specific priorities and organisational context constraints influence frameworks, and bridging theory with practice by offering an inclusive, adaptive approach to complex decision-making structures. The findings have significant practical implications, improving decision-making in the Malaysian public sector, enhancing project delivery, and mitigating execution challenges to achieve desired project outcomes.

Initial

khm

Additional Information

Thesis (PhD) - Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya, 2026.

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