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Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 68 (2012) 601 – 614 1877-0428 © 2012 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies (cE-Bs), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.12.252 AicE-Bs2012 Cairo ASIA Pacific International Conference on Environment-Behaviour Studies Mercure Le Sphinx Cairo Hotel, Giza, Egypt, 31 October 2 November 2012 - Satisfaction of - Campus and Off-Campus Settings: A conceptual overview Muhammad Hilmy Muslim * , Hafazah Abdul Karim, Ishak Che Abdullah Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam 40450, Malaysia Abstract Off-campus students are currently facing huge challenges associated with their living environment. Current trends of housing development and rapid enrolment c inconvenience ways. The objectives are: to identify the differences of living satisfaction aspects between on-campus and off-campus indicators relevant to student housing, and to identify the factor of living satisfaction faced by this group of students. This conceptual paper will focus on literature review on the satisfaction of living off-campus environment for university -being in relation to their living satisfaction. Keywords: Living satisfaction; residential environment; student housing; on-campus and off-campus 1. Introduction In recent decades student enrolments have grown rapidly in Malaysia. This status quo increases the demand for student accommodation. The establishment and development of student housing is a challenge for many universities in Malaysia as a result of the continuing extension of higher education institutions and rising student numbers. The higher educational institution (HEI) provided accommodation facilities in Malaysia generally have few vacancies, and each year the number of applicants exceeds the available accommodation. The majority of the student population rents * Corresponding author. Tel.: +6-017-223-0401. E-mail address: [email protected]. Available online at www.sciencedirect.com © 2012 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies (cE-Bs), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license. Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.

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Page 1: Satisfaction of Students’ Living Environment between On ... · Living environment can be examined from various standpoints, such as an architectural, economic, social and cultural

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 68 ( 2012 ) 601 – 614

1877-0428 © 2012 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies (cE-Bs), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.12.252

AicE-Bs2012 Cairo ASIA Pacific International Conference on Environment-Behaviour Studies

Mercure Le Sphinx Cairo Hotel, Giza, Egypt, 31 October 2 November 2012 -

Satisfaction of -Campus and Off-Campus Settings: A conceptual overview

Muhammad Hilmy Muslim*, Hafazah Abdul Karim, Ishak Che Abdullah

Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam 40450, Malaysia

Abstract

Off-campus students are currently facing huge challenges associated with their living environment. Current trends of housing development and rapid enrolment c inconvenience ways. The objectives are: to identify the differences of living satisfaction aspects between on-campus and off-campus indicators relevant to student housing, and to identify the factor of living satisfaction faced by this group of students. This conceptual paper will focus on literature review on the satisfaction of living off-campus environment for university

-being in relation to their living satisfaction. © 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies (cE-Bs), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. Keywords: Living satisfaction; residential environment; student housing; on-campus and off-campus

1. Introduction

In recent decades student enrolments have grown rapidly in Malaysia. This status quo increases the demand for student accommodation. The establishment and development of student housing is a challenge for many universities in Malaysia as a result of the continuing extension of higher education institutions and rising student numbers. The higher educational institution (HEI) provided accommodation facilities in Malaysia generally have few vacancies, and each year the number of applicants exceeds the available accommodation. The majority of the student population rents

*Corresponding author. Tel.: +6-017-223-0401. E-mail address: [email protected].

Available online at www.sciencedirect.com

© 2012 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies (cE-Bs), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.

Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.

Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.

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602 Muhammad Hilmy Muslim et al. / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 68 ( 2012 ) 601 – 614

accommodation on the private housing market. Questions related to the housing situation of students have become an issue in both public and professional considerations (Ismail, 2010). In Malaysia, the growth in student enrolments from 664,402 to 1,134,134 persons from 2002 - 2010 (MOHE, 2011), has led to greater interest in questions related to student accommodation.

This research refers the housing situation of students in Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), a main university campus in Shah Alam, Malaysia. Here, out of a total population of 54 000 students, 11 677 students (21.6%) rent accommodation including the student who live in their (Non-Resident Management Unit, 2012). Nowadays, institutionally provided student housing lies within the responsibility of Residential College Unit and Non-Resident Management Unit supported by the Student Affairs Division of UiTM.

Living environment can be examined from various standpoints, such as an architectural, economic, social and cultural perspective. In recent decades, the interest in research on living environment has risen, and various approaches, concepts and viewpoints have been applied by housing researchers from an extensive range of disciplines. Lawrence as cited in Thomsen (2008), divides existing housing research into two classes: Urban and housing politics and sociology, and studies of people and their surroundings. Urban and housing politics and sociology have in general contributed to understanding the market mechanisms of housing supply and demand, and the living conditions of different social groups. The second category, studies of people and their surroundings have commonly focused on the viewpoints of the individual on housing. As housing is a complex field that comprises many disciplines, Lawrence calls for an interdisciplinary research approach that applies the knowledge from various disciplines, and thus enabling simultaneously address interdependent factors (Thomsen, 2008).

The present work is an example of interdisciplinary research, which involved researchers from the fields of sociology and planning. The focus is on the perspectives of the individual student residents, contributing to studies of people and their surroundings. This conceptual paper intends to investigate the aspects which influence the living satisfaction level of the off-campus residents.

2. Literature Review

2.1. Concept and

Student housing presents a unique opportunity for student affairs administrators to contribute to and support the educational experience of the university student. Besides that, the student housing play a role as a place of shelter. Strange and Banning cited in Crimmin (2008) proposed three conditions that help make for involvement; and an experience of neighbourhood. Banning and Kaiser cited in Crimmin (2008), examination of the ecological perspective on the relationship between students and their environments

relationship is the responsibility of the institution to create an environment conducive to meeting the educational needs of the population (Crimmin, 2008).

Ware and Miller cited in Frazier (2009) reviewed research trends in student life, and found that even though there were some differences in the how the studies were conducted; student housing play an important role in the success of university students. Student housing plays an important role in the enrolment of students and the adequacy of facilities can add to the desire them to remain on campus. They drew the following conclusions from several studies:

Bowman and Partin in (Frazier, 2009) conducted a study to be determine if there is a significant difference between the academic achievement of students that lived on-campus and their off-campus

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counterparts, as measured by grade point average (GPA). Bowman and Partin stated no statistically significant differences in grade point averages of students regardless of residence.

Thompson, Samiratedu, and Rafter in (Frazier, 2009) claimed that progress and retention were higher among students who lived on-campus, regardless of race, gender, or condition of admittance. Students engaged in remedial work were shown to have performed better than their off-campus counterparts.

Headershott, Wright, and Henderson in (Frazier, 2009) conducted a survey to measure the quality of life within the university community. With regard to on-campus living environment, the study found that students were less satisfied with university housing than with their academic or social lives. The researchers attributed this to space limitations, lack of privacy, lack of freedom, and poor maintenance that is commonly found in on-campus housing.

The quality of life a student has while living in on-campus housing will dictate whether or not that the student chooses to remain in that environment. If that the student has had a quality experience they will share that with others and encourage them to become involved with opportunities that have been presented to them ( h, 2011).

2.1.1. On-campus living experience Research on the impact of on-campus living satisfaction on student development has consistently

having a positive living and learning experience. Students that have a positive experience are more likely to see their program through to completion and have increased satisfaction with their overall university experience. The following studies demonstrate that while on-campus living may look and feel the same in many places, the way the program is viewed and experienced by the students is not.

Popovics as cited in Thomsen (2008) that convenience, independence, security, and privacy were perceived as advantages, although visitation restriction, rules, and noise were perceived as negative elements of living in the on-campus environment.

Li et al. in Thomsen (2008) has conducted a research in investigating on student satisfaction with their current living arrangements in the on-campus housing whether they plan to live on-campus and whether they plan to move off-campus for next year. Li et al. in Thomsen (2008) found that following six items were significant, positive predictors of returning to the on-campus housing the following year: (a) ability to be on a dining plan; (b) leadership opportunities, (c) location close to campus, (d) ability to choose where to live, (e) academic support available, and (f) high-speed Internet connection. Items that were significant negative predictors were: (a) ability to cook meals, (b) length of lease/contract, (c) proximity to campus/town, (d) private bathroom, and (e) parking accommodations, (f) ability to live with or near friends, and (g) ability to study where you live. They also found the most significant predictors of returning to the on-campus housing were also generally significant negative predictors of living off-campus.

2.1.2. Off-campus living experience Li et al. in Thomsen (2008)

off-campus. Demographic characteristics that significantly predicted a higher possibility of living off-campus was male gender. Significant positive reasons for students intending to live off-campus were: (a) ability to cook meals, (b) length of lease/contract, (c) proximity to campus/town, (d) parking accommodation, (e) ability to live with or near friends, and (f) a private bathroom. Significant negative

-campus next year included: (a) the ability to be on a dining plan, (b) leadership opportunities, (c) academic support available, (d) high speed internet options, (e)

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Academic achievement is not significantly influence uncertain nature, Dasimah et al. (2011) reported that academic achievement of off-campus students are not influenced by the environment although living as off-campus is said to be more challenging than staying on campus.

2.2. Brief

Living satisfaction for students has been dismissed by some researchers, since it seems that it is not directly tied to any sort of educational outcome (Twale & Damron, 1991). Nonetheless, some universities have been using these data better understand the university student life, change the campus environment, and simultaneously create a campus more conducive to the development of students (Nayor, 2009; Survey Unit, 2008; Thomsen, 2008)large public institution, utilized data provided by 5,310 respondents of student. These data revealed that peer relationships had the strongest effect on student satisfaction (Survey Unit, 2008). The peer relationships could be manifested in many ways, including satisfaction with the behaviour of other

(Survey Unit, 2008). Along these same lines, dissatisfaction with managerial components such as physical surroundings; the safety and security of the residential building; and the difficulty of working with the central office were also shown significantly impact satisfaction. Similarly, a strong relationship between the residential advisor and the student correlates to a higher measure of satisfaction (Survey Unit, 2008).

Despite the importance universities attach to satisfaction data and the multiple ways they measure it, a common and shared understanding of satisfaction as a construct has not yet attained. Developing an understanding of student satisfaction is necessary in determining the effect that the living environment has on it. Further, it will help to determine the extent to which satisfaction with the living environment affects wellbeing.

2.3. Student housing situation in Malaysia and overseas

The matter of student housing has been addressed from a number of viewpoints. Disciplines such as urban development and planning, geography and housing policies are concerned with issues associated to student community, as it has been witnessed that a high concentration of student residents in specific areas has effects for these urban neighbourhoods(Sabri & Ahmad Nazri, 2009; Smith & Denholm, 2006), as for instance on the social cohesion. Other matters are related to questions on how to adapt students and what is appropriate housing for these provisional residents. The type of housing, the standard and the architectural design is important issues in this context. To understand what students consider being suitable and satisfactory housing, shall to investigate their points of view.

Despite the reluctance to outsource student housing operations, it is evident nationwide that housing facilities are in major disrepair and are virtually obsolete when faced with the incrcollege students. On-campus dormitories built in the 1950s and 1960s is the most predominant housing option for students, which typically consist of single rooms housing two students each in long corridors that do not provide much, if any, privacy.

Additionally, most traditional dormitories do not have the highly-desired amenities and building infrastructure that students and their parents now see as essential to the university experience. Such amenities and infrastructure include fitness and recreation centres, wireless networking capabilities, kitchens, and single bedrooms with private bathrooms. Universities are continuing to find themselves to be competing with the off-campus private housing market as it caters to student preferences, offers a

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continual supply of appealing amenities and is often close enough to campuses to allow for a reasonable commute to classes (Survey Unit, 2008).

Furthermore, a shortage of student housing exists nationwide as the majority of university students at -campus (Amole, 2011; Dasimah et al., 2011; Ng, 2005;

Turley & Wodtke, 2010). With increasing enrolments and many universities reserving on-campus beds for first-year students and upper-class students are often forced into the local communities where there is either not enough local housing to meet the demand or not enough housing that meets the local

In order to accommodate more students and attract them to campus, universities are developing and

constructing new housing facilities. However, it is important to remember that constructing new on-campus student housing can be cost prohibitive to many universities.

3. Methodology

This paper seeks to determine the differences of living satisfaction aspects between on-campus and off-campus indicators relevant to student housingand to ascertain how these factors of living satisfaction are being formed.It draws on the findings from this study which involved content analysis methods. This study involves both qualitative and quantitative description in the analysis.

3.1. Content analysis

Content analysis is a research technique for the objective, systematic, and quantitative description of the manifest content of communication (Franzosi, n.d). The content analysis technique attempts to characterize the meanings in a given body of discourse in a systematic and quantitative fashion (Kaplan, 1943). Thematic analysis is the most common approach in content analysis. In thematic analysis, the coding scheme is based on categories designed to capture the dominant themes in text.

3.1.1. Coding scheme The coding scheme is the set of all coding categories applied to a collection of texts, in which a

. The scheme is systematically applied to all selected texts for the purpose of extracting uniform and standardized data. The main themes adapted from the literature

neighbourhood The rich texts of data are coded by using NVivo, a Computer Aided Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) designed to aid the analyses of qualitative data. The themes depending on the specific type of content analysis, the numbers are the result of counting.

satisfaction in on-campus and off-campus environment is living satisfaction were

categorized using a residential satisfaction factor namely: activities; community facilities and services; neighbourhood physical surroundings; cost of living; and

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3.1.2. Sampling procedure Sampling provides an efficient and cost-effective way to achieve research results. The researchers

meet to use journal sources of 20 studies from 1997 to 2012 to determine the main themes to be used to code the data. In term of data validity of sampling frame, the various sources of 20 studies have the basic

that is trying to measure. The function of sources and sampling frame adopted base on systematic comparative analyses.

4. Discussion and Analysis

There are numerous reasons that lead increasingly to evaluate living environment. First of all, assessing living environment provides the basis for taking decisions about improvements in current housing stock and about the design and development of future housing. Second, the idea that an evaluation of the performance of housing may be conducted makes housing managers, planners, designers and policy makers more accountable (Mohit, Ibrahim, & Rashid, 2010). A suitable criterion has to be developed to evaluate the performance of housing, and definitely, many indicators of performance have been proposed over the years. Amongst the various criteria proposed, the concept of satisfaction has become the most widely used in evaluating living environments. It has been used largely to assess the performance of all types of living environments (Adriaanse, 2007; Amole, 2009a, 2009b, 2011; Dasimah, 2008, 2009; Dasimah et al., 2011; Garrard, 2006; Hafazah, 2008; Helfrich, 2011; Mohit et al., 2010; Nayor, 2009; ; Samuels & Luskin, 2010; M. Sirgy, Grzeskowiak, & Rahtz, 2006; Survey Unit, 2008; Thomsen, 2008; Thomsen & Eikemo, 2010; Turley & Wodtke, 2010; Wade, 2009; Xiao, Tang, & Shim, 2009; Zullig, Huebner, & Pun, 2009). Satisfaction is defined as a measure of

(Khozaei, Ramayah, Hassan, & Surienty, 2012). It is considered a very useful norm in the evaluation of housing because it indicates the general levels of

and cognitive responses, points out the irksome aspects of living environments and predicts user responses to future environments (Amole, 2009a). It also helps to identify the contribution of various factors to the satisfaction, the differences between different types of factors and the relationships between various dimensions of the residential environment. In addition, satisfaction is considered an important indicator of the quality of life, well-being and happiness (Hafazah, 2008; Rapley, 2003). Unfortunately, majority of studies on residential satisfaction have been conducted in Western countries. These studies have examined how satisfied users are with their environments, the factors which account for satisfaction or dissatisfaction and the models which may explain satisfaction. However, there is very little research to inform us whether or not the results of the studies are generalizable to other developing countries. Hence, more research is needed in other contexts, to test the generalizability of the results and the models developed in Western contexts. In addition, most of the studies which examine living satisfaction have focused more on social and management attributes of housing than on its physical attributes. Hence, these studies have been of very little influence and significance for design and planning professionals.

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(Source: Author, 2012)

Table 1. Frequency of coded category by author/ source

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The coding scheme as discussed earlier revealed interesting findings that show the frequency level of living satisfaction aspect commonly recur (refer Table 1). The huge concerns of living satisfaction aspect discovered by authors are Most authors highlighted that types of accommodation; location and proximity to campus; and usability and arrangement of space are important factors condition domain.

aspect is the second highest frequent mentioned by several authors. The main factor fo that authors frequently stated are housemate social interaction as well as neighbourhood interaction.

The third highest aspect being raised by the authors is community facilities and services. Most authors often bring up aspects such as accessibility, availability and maintenance of facilities and services.

4.1. Aspect of

There is a comprehensive summary of the evidence supporting the notion that aspect of living environment in 2.). A synthesis of

on that are contain , community facilities and services, neighbourhood

The aspects taken into consideration were discussed earlier in the literature review.

Table 2.

Category Specific Aspect Author/Source

condition Type of accommodation

Location/proximity

Architectural aspects

Internal dwelling facilities and features

Usability and arrangement of space

Size and physical condition of dwelling

Dwelling densities

Storage and furniture

Maintenance

(Adriaanse, 2007; Ahmad Hariza, 2003; Amole, 2009a; Dasimah et al., 2011; Frazier, 2009; Garrard, 2006; Helfrich, 2011; Khozaei et al., 2012; Mohit et al., 2010; Nayor, 2009; Ng, 2005; al., 2011; Survey Unit, 2008; Thomsen, 2008; Tiirkoglu, 1997)

activities Housemate/roommate social interaction

Neighbourhood interaction

Acceptance of student by local resident

neighbourhood activities

(Adriaanse, 2007; Ahmad Hariza, 2003; Amole, 2009a; Dasimah et al., 2011; Garrard, 2006; Hassan, 2011; Helfrich, 2011; Khozaei et al., 2012; Mohit et al., 2010; Nayor, 2009; M. Sirgy et al., 2006; Thomsen, 2008; Tiirkoglu, 1997; Zullig et al., 2009)

Community facilities and services

Accessibility to campus, city centre, health services, shopping and municipal services

Availability and maintenance of social, recreational and educational services

Availability of public/neighbourhood facilities

(Dasimah et al., 2011; Frazier, 2009; Hassan, 2011; Helfrich, 2011; Mohit et al., 2010; Nayor, 2009; Ng, 2005; ; M. Sirgy et al., 2006; Thomsen, 2008; Tiirkoglu, 1997)

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609 Muhammad Hilmy Muslim et al. / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 68 ( 2012 ) 601 – 614

Neighbourhood physical surroundings

Personalization and identity

Privacy

Security

Safety

Health

(Adriaanse, 2007; Amole, 2009a; Dasimah et al., 2011; Khozaei et al., 2012; Mohit et al., 2010; Ng, 2005; Thomsen, 2008; Tiirkoglu, 1997; Yu & Lee, 2008)

Cost of living Financial status

Financial behaviour

Living expanses

(Amole, 2009a; Dasimah et al., 2011; Mohit et al., 2010; Survey Unit, 2008; Xiao et al., 2009)

preference Source of information and advice in choosing accommodation

Time taken to search for accommodation

Length of lease/contract

Understanding about preference for private house

Building social network and developing friendship

Freedom to choose where to live

Preferred accommodation features

Getting connected and staying safe

(Adriaanse, 2007; Frazier, 2009; Garrard, 2006; 2011; Survey Unit, 2008)

4.2. Assessment of

Previous studies have introduced several models to measure living satisfaction. For example,

neighborhood and dwelling context (Adriaanse, 2007); household satisfaction index, consists of questions on the overall satisfaction, expectations and shortcomings of the house (Survey Unit, 2008).

According to Weidemann and Anderson cited in ),living satisfaction index sfied are you with living

behavior

Amole (2009a) modified the living satisfaction index to suit the student housing ou with living

another accommodation in the near fu behaviour. The basis for living satisfaction or relative satisfaction index is that satisfaction can be explained by

overall housing satisfaction and loyalty behavior(Amole, 2009a). Relative satisfaction index covers only the bedroom in measuring student satisfaction; therefore, there is a need to develop a new index that covers the entire off-campus living environment. Consequently, for this research, a student living satisfaction index is developed to conceptualize student living satisfaction as a perception of student development as a result of the student experience living in the accommodation. Anderson in Nurul

) highlights that satisfaction and loyalty levels are linked with extremely dissatisfied customers engaged in slightly more disloyal behavior than extremely satisfied customers.

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610 Muhammad Hilmy Muslim et al. / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 68 ( 2012 ) 601 – 614

(et al., 2011). The following describes the overall satisfaction and loyalty behaviour in greater details.

4.2.1. Overall living satisfaction by students This item indicates the response of living satisfaction from students on the overall perception of

student housing facilities. According to Nayor (2009), this item is about a feeling response and it falls under the affective dimension. Amole (2009a); M. Sirgy et al. (2006); M. J. Sirgy, Rahtz, Cicic, and Underwood (1998) claim that living satisfaction will contribute to overall life satisfaction. Thomsen (2008) argues that greater student living satisfaction can be attained through a less institutional housing atmosphere that promotes a homelike environment. If the institutional environment is welcoming, students will be highly satisfied with the surroundings in general (Thomsen & Eikemo, 2010). Satisfactory environments in student housing are conceptualized where it can stimulate a silence, less crowding, privacy and suitable room sizes (Twale & Damron, 1991). Thus, absolute living satisfaction can be obtained when student needs are met (Khozaei et al., 2012).

4.2.2. Loyalty behaviour The loyalty behaviour consist a duration of staying, retention and recommendation, act as a forecaster

of satisfaction. For instance, the longer students staying in dwelling, the more satisfied they become. The criteria of loyalty behaviour are discussed as follows.

4.2.2.1. Duration of staying Francescato et al. cited in ) signify that this item is under the cognitive

dimension where the period of staying in the particular residence (Amole, 2009a; Parkes, Kearns, & Atkinson, 2002). The longer the students stay in their residences, the more they are satisfied with their housing. If students are satisfied with their housing, the students will continue to reside in the same houses in the following semester (Khozaei et al., 2012; 11). The extended stay is likely to be due to an adaptation with the living conditions, convenience and reasonable rental rates (Amole, 2009a; Mohit et al., 2010; Survey Unit, 2008; Yu & Lee, 2008). Otherwise, the presence of strong social ties such as good friendships also promotes a longer stay in a residence (Adriaanse, 2007; Dasimah et al., 2011; Helfrich, 2011; Zullig et al., 2009).

4.2.2.2. Retention Nathanson et al. cited in ) categorize migration into a behavioural dimension.

This item reflects that satisfied persons have the tendency to find new houses that are similar to the ones they live in before they reach a new place, or in other words, congruent to their personal past experiences (Nayor, 2009). Song and Yan cited in ) profess that mobility is unavoidable due to increases in income regardless of the level of enjoyment. If a person is satisfied, he/she will repurchase the same brands they purchased in the future and the intention to change are eradicated (Survey Unit, 2008).

4.2.2.3. Recommendation Weidemann and Anderson cited in ) refer this item as a behavioural

dimension, where satisfied individuals will have the intention to recommend a place to another. Similarly, M. J. Sirgy, Grzeskowiak, and Su (2005)stress that when a resident has a good experience with the living environment, they will feel encourage to promote or share their satisfaction to the people they know.

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5. Recommendation

Studies on living satisfaction from the student perspective are mostly focused on factors affecting (Nayor, 2009) and the influence of social

interaction in the living environment (Wade, 2009). There are also studies on student housing with narrower scopes such as gender differences in user responses to students housing (Amole, 2012); relationship of student housing environment between academic self-concept (Helfrich, 2011)sense of attachment with a particular student housing (Khozaei et al., 2012)behavior based on the type of student housing environment (Willoughby & Carroll, 2009); and the relationship between satisfaction and levels of environment (Amole, 2009b). These studies offer little guidance as to whether the students are satisfied with student living provided. Among the limited studies

Amole (2009a), Hassan (2011) and (2011). Amole (2009a) investigates living satisfaction among students in Nigeria and the findings indicated a low satisfaction with their living environment. Hassan (2011) researched student satisfaction levels in Middle-East and the findings indicated a level of satisfaction with on-campus residences. However, the studies were conducted in countries where the culture and climate are different from that experienced in the Southeast Asia region, which is likely to affect the perceived environment of the built environment On the other hand, ) who conducted similar studies in Malaysia found the studies were conducted for on-campus living environment where the living setting is different from that experienced off-campus housing. Therefore, the results of the studies may not be relevant to the study context.

Fig. 1. Relationship between objective and subjective attributes of living environment to the determination of satisfaction

Objective attribute of living environment

Subjective attribute of living environment

Condition

Activities

Community Facilities & Services

Neighborhood Physical Surroundings

Satisfaction / Dissatisfaction with Physical Attributes

Satisfaction will lead to: Longer staying Retention in the

same house Recommendation

the house to others

Satisfaction / Dissatisfaction with Social/ Financial/

Management

impression based on individual values

Demographic Characteristics

Cost of Living

Phys

ical

Attr

ibut

es

Soci

al/ F

inan

cial

/ M

anag

emen

t Attr

ibut

es

Living Satisfaction

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612 Muhammad Hilmy Muslim et al. / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 68 ( 2012 ) 601 – 614

The conceptual framework of the paper being developed based on the notion that living satisfaction is a multiple concept of the indices of satisfaction which students perceive with living condition, social activities, community facilities and services, neighborhood physical surroundings, living cost and

(Amole, 2009a; Mohit et al., 2010; ). According to Amole (2009a), objective attributes of the residential environment, once they have been evaluated by the individual become subjective giving rise to a certain degree of satisfaction. Subjective attributes are

-demographic and individual characteristics as well as his/her residential quality pattern, a normative element whereby the individual compares his/ her real and ideal living environment. The housing through their socio-economic and demographic characteristics becomes subjective attributes which can be captured into five components of off-campus housing satisfaction and these five components together form the basis of living satisfaction of the residents. The new model is developed by combining several relevant attribute of living environment by previous studies.

6. Conclusion

This paper has revealed some sort of are very informative for all university stakeholders in providing the conducive living environment for student that may increase their well-being. From the findings it can be summarized that there are many

satisfaction/dissatisfaction in some ways that will give a positive/negative effect on their studies and student development as a whole.

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledged the financial support provided by the Research Management Institute of Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia for this research under Research Intensive Faculty grant [Project Code: 600-RMI/DANA 5/3/RIF (281/2012)].

References

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