Makna dan Pengalaman Kerjasama daripada Perspektif Kontraktor Pembinaan Kelas A Melayu di Lembah Klang

The study sought to understand the meaning of cooperation by the class A Malay constructioncontractors and how phenomenon of cooperation takes place. As such, this study explains themeaning and the experience of cooperation based on the practice of selected class A Malayconstruction contractors in Klang Valley. Phenomenology was used to understand and uncover thecooperation experiences in the career of these class A Malay construction contractors. The naratorsin this study were class A Malay construction contractors who volunteered to participate and werewilling to share their experiences. They have been involved in the business between 15 to 25 yearsas construction contractors. Criteria based purposive sampling was used to select narators. An openconversation technique was carried out to garner data. The open conversation was tape-recordedand transcribed verbatim. Analysis began as soon as the data were collected. This study assumedthat the class A Malay construction contractors experienced cooperation as they undertook theday-to-day activities in running their business. The experiences of the narators revealed that therewere several themes, which described the phenomenon of cooperation. A detailed analysis wascarried out to identify the themes and categories in order to answer the research questions. Thesethemes were categorized into (i) the meaning of cooperation, (ii) reasons for cooperation, (iii)enhancing cooperation, and (iv) forms of cooperation. Basically, there were several significantmeanings of cooperation in the light of a contractor’s task. The study showed that the meanings ofcooperation were perceived as working together, partnership, and group work. These three meaningswere intertwined and present in all aspects of construction contractors. In addition, the studyrevealed the sources of cooperation which included aspects of awareness and realization, culturalpractice and principles, survival, and competition. In fact, the study identified four elements thatenhanced cooperation among the contractors, which were understanding, sincerity, compatibilityand experience, and good relationship.Cooperation experienced by the narators was inclusive,that is, it involved all parties concerned in completing a given task. The concerned parties includedfinancial institutions, contractors and construction material suppliers. The cooperation among thecontractors was not formal. It was more like a mutual understanding and trust to see the success ofcertain projects. It could be concluded that the experience of cooperation among the class A Malayconstruction contractors, was a significant meaning and values within the culture and the Malayindividuals themselves which had been rooted for centuries. In fact, the cooperation did not onlybenefit other members in the business, but also was in a form of an agreement that cooperationwas seen as the best formula for those who wanted to lead a conducive, harmonious, peaceful andhappy life. This research suggests that continuous and concrete efforts need to be taken to enhancethe values of cooperation which are diminishing. They are also encouraged to inculcate the valueof cooperation among their business partners.