Globalization or

Localization – Factors
to be Considered by
Architects in their
Architectural Practices
Sharifah Fairuz Syed Fadzil (P18009804)
Supervisor : Dr Wong Teik Aun

MBA Final Project (MGT 7998)

Presentation (4th Aug. 2019)
Background and Problem Statement
• Globalization is imminent – it is here to
stay and with the advancements of
communication and I.T. has become
borderless
• WTO – with members throughout the
world – designs and sets the rules and
ensures the smooth flow of free trade
• Localization – restricting business to a
particular country (being opposite to
globalization)
• Architecture as a professional service
emphasizing talent, skill, knowledge
and very much value added when it
comes to image and quality cities. This
service can be imported and exported –
UK and USA (Brand)
• Due to globalization and
Liberalization, more and more foreign
architects are coming to Malaysia –
internationalization
• This global business should be
benefitting to both the locals and
foreign architects
• Business research is mostly the form
goods (manufacturing, supply chain,
logistics etc) yet ironically services is
often understudied when it’s role is just
as important
• Studies in this area is also very limited
(Abdul Aziz, 2010)
Kuala Lumpur – Globalized?
Literature Review (Additions…)
• Strategic Imperatives / benefits of Globalization
• International Business and Trade (Professional services)
• Globalization (International Business) and Localization
(Domestic)
• Rationale for Trade Intervention (by Government / Policies)

THE SCOPE
Category of International Business (services sector) focusing
on the architects and their architectural practice.
Research Objectives and Questions
R.O.
1. To determine factors influencing
Malaysian architects to remain
exclusively in domestic market
2. To determine factors influencing
Malaysian architects to venture
into international markets
3. To determine factors influencing
International architects to
venture into Malaysian domestic
market
R.Q.
1. What are the factors or reasons
behind Malaysian architects opting
to handle only local projects in their
architecture practices?
2. What are the factors or reasons
behind Malaysian architects opting
to handle not only local projects but
expanding and venturing out to
international projects as well in their
practices?
3. What are the factors or reasons
behind foreign architects coming and
choosing Malaysia as one of the
countries to practice architecture?
Research Framework

Group 3: Foreign
architects in Malaysia
with local Malaysian
projects

Globalization
or localization
in the
architecture Group 2 : Local
Group 1 : Local
Malaysian architects Practice Malaysian architects
practicing with both practicing with only
local and international local projects - no
projects international
experience
 Research Methodology
• Qualitative research is a field of inquiry which crosses disciplines, interconnected
family of terms, concepts and assumptions (Denzin and Lincoln, 2005) and usually
gathering of non-numerical data.

• Exploratory research usually has the objectives to study, examine, analyze, or

investigate a phenomena (Stebbins, 2001).

• Architectural services – are predominantly people centred – designing for the needs
of humans – comfort – shelter – safety and conducive environment therefore
qualitative method is more suitable

• Use of semi structured interview with typical globalization questions (which were
adapted to suit the architecture practice) – transcribed and analyzed thematically

• SUPPLEMENT : The online survey to others in architecture fraternity to supplement

and also get their views on similar issues

Interviews were conducted F to F (Penang respondents) or via recorded telephone

conversations (KL respondents) with a minimum duration of 30 minutes. Deleted those who
did not perform up to the standards.
 The respondents interviewed are from a
Respondents focused group (Marvasti, 2010) which
comprised of individuals with certain
characteristics and specializations (in
this context of research – the architects)

The interview is centred on the

generated evidence for achieving the
research objectives of describing or
explaining a phenomenon (Cohen &
Manion, 2007).

Sample size : There is no absolute

quantity as applied in quantitative
research, as it depends on your
resources, and also how important
the question is to the research. (Baker
& Edwards, 2015)
Some of the interview Q
• Can you tell us about yourself, your educational background and your
first architecture practice.
• How was your practice performing in its home country with local
projects?
• Can you tell us about your first international experience – which country
was it – what type of project and what factors prompted you to take the
project?
THEMATIC ANALYSIS – content analysis
• A research technique with which conclusions can be drawn on the
basis of any kind of data by means of systematic and objective
analysis of its constituent elements (Kromrey,2009)
• Focuses on identifiable themes and patterns of occurrences and/or
living and/or behaviour (Aronson, 2015)
Results and Analysis -
Themes extracted from Groups 1 and 2

• Theme 1 : Move Towards Global Is Inevitable

• Theme 2 : Government Needs To Control, Give Incentive And Support
• Theme 3 : Architects Professional Fees Must Be Adhered By All
• Theme 4 : Have Open To All And Fairer Competitions / Commissions
• Theme 5 : Foreign Specialist Inputs Are Still Needed
• Theme 6 : Local Economy Is Still Providing Enough Jobs (Presently)
• Theme 7 : Practice Size And Capacity Affect Global Decision
• Theme 8 : Many Benefits For Venturing Global
Themes extracted from Group 3

• Theme 9 : There Are Many Business Opportunities In Malaysia

• Theme 10 : Foreign Architects Have Personal Reasons For Coming To
Malaysia
• Theme 11 : Foreign Architects Found Government Inefficient
• Theme 12 : Foreign Thinks Local Are Good Yet Need To Improve
• Theme 13 : Venturing Global Is Up To The Self And Practice Capacity
THEMATIC ANALYSIS
IN GRAPHICAL
FORM

From the overall

Research Framework
Supplementary study
Online survey results : 54 respondents (from possible 200) from
architecture fraternity (Descriptive statistics)

Overseas Project experience / opinions

• Do you have experience in handling
overseas projects Yes / No
• If yes list 2 counties which projects are
from __________& __________
• If no, list 2 countries you would have
liked to work _______ &_________
• Do you think architects need to be
involved in overseas projects? Yes /
No
• Do you think local projects are
sufficient to be source revenue for
local architects? Yes / No
• Do you think foreign architects are
taking local jobs from local architects?
Yes / No
•
Results in charts :

Have international experiences in

Thailand / Vietnam/Singapore/China
Supplementary study :
Online survey results

Wish to have international

experiences in UK, Australia, China,
Singapore
Conclusions – Going back to Research Objectives
RO1 (Domestic Market) • Lack of Opportunities (Theme 4)
(Local architects) • Practice capacity & Limited resources (Theme 7)

• Complex in nature and also expensive (Theme 7)

• More comfortable with local projects – still available

(Theme 6)

RO2 (International Market) • Advocates of latest advancements and Technology – don’t

want to be left behind (Theme 5)
(Local architects)
• Rich exposure and experience also attractive fees (Theme 8)

• Continuous learning culture at practice (Theme 8)

• Prepared for future and to sustain in downturns (Theme 1)

Conclusions – Going back to Research Objectives

RO3 (Malaysian Market) • Venture to Malaysia for personal reasons – Not

just merely to practice / business reasons and to
(International architects) make profits (unexpected – also common in
exploratory research) (Theme 10)
• Diverse culture / safe and peaceful country.
Though not excellent / Practice opportunities are
there (Themes 9 and 10)
• Globalization is not a must – it depends on
individual architect and capacity of the practice
(Theme 13)
• Where they come from are saturated or unsafe due
to political instability (Theme 10)
Significance & Recommendations
• A Guide – to present and future
architects esp. in their decision
making (none yet in Malaysia)
• Reference to the professional
bodies and the government –
what policies can be carried out
to improvise
• Reference to the architecture
education as well – when
business component is lacking
when it is much needed to be
relevant in the industry
• Recommended that architects
master international business
before venturing into it (due to
its intricacies)
• Human resource / practice
capacity / mission and vision of
the practice must be clear to all
• Though it is still an option to the
individual architect, the benefits
learning and experiences gained
from globalization is undeniable
Thank you