INTRODUCTIONS The trend of internationalization of construction companies has been rising throughout the world. Going international can be viewed as a process of foreign market entry decisions through which a firm moves from operating solely in its domestic place to international markets. Internationalization has accelerated the flow of information and resource allocation, bringing people, organizations and countries closer [1]. At the same time, it has also resulted in intensified competition. Businesses no longer compete locally, or even regionally. The globalize economy has brought about intense competition that has pushed nations to compete for higher standard of efficiency and quality. Nowadays, the very competitive and saturated Malaysian construction market for civil engineering services has led many domestic companies to con- sider going international. With fewer projects avail- Timing of International Construction Market Entry by Malaysian Construction Firms C. K. I. Ibrahim Faculty of Civil Engineering, MARA University of Technology, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia C. M. Mat Isa & A. M. Baki Faculty of Civil Engineering, MARA University of Technology, Shah Alam, Malaysia M. K. Ghani Construction Research Institute of Malaysia (CREAM), CIDB Malaysia ABSTRACT: Globalization by definition involves trans-boundary activities. Globalization frequently translates into creation of new construction markets. Focusing on the entry timing is one of the important dimensions of the process of internationalization of Malaysian construction firms. In securing the position in the international market, Malaysian construction companies need to consider the influence of numerous fac- tors both internal and external to the company in deciding when to enter a market. The main objective of this paper is to explain the timing of entry and factors involved in the entry timing decision making in internation- alization process of Malaysian construction companies. Questionnaires were sent to 95 Class A and Grade 7 contractors based on the Construction Industry Development Board of Malaysia list to enquire about their opinions on the strategic entry timing in penetrating foreign markets. Empirical result on the entry informa- tion of Malaysian construction firms show that firms with medium level of internalization capabilities and re- sources are likely to enter this new market with late entry as their entry timing decision. However, construc- tion firms with many experience, huge resources and great capability and expertise will decide to enter a foreign market earlier. The findings also indicate that firm’s capabilities, firm’s resources availability and market environment are the most influential factors involved in market entry decision making. Increasing firm’s performance, firm’s relationship with host country and increasing success rate are the most important criteria’s in firm’s capabilities. Whilst satisfying capital requirement, lowering risk and more flexibility in decision making are the important factor in firm’s resources availability. Moreover, political stability of host country, status competitor in host country and economic system in host country are the most important factor in market environment. This study is of relevance to Malaysian companies as it systematically highlights the factors that affect entry timing decision making for the benefits of Malaysian construction companies who are considering expanding into foreign construction market. This study has shown that the possibility of Malaysian construction firms to be recognised as global players are expected to increase near the future if they can plan an excellent entry timing decision making and get involve in international construction industry that flourishing in every part of the world today. KEYWORDS: International Construction, Entry Timing, Malaysian Construction Firms