APPRAISAL OF TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This research appraise Total Quality Management (TQM) in the construction industry with respect to acceptable measures of implementing TQM in construction by analyzing the responses of construction professionals identified in construction firms in Imo State Nigeria. Their level of awareness, practice, factors affecting implementation of TQM principles, perceived effects of TQM on quality delivery and level of cost and time overruns of construction projects executed with the use of TQM principles were assessed using a well-structured questionnaire. Data gathered were analyzed using different analytical tools such as; frequencies, percentiles, mean item score (MIS), and paired sample t-test. The paired sample t-test was specifically used to determine the percentage variance between initial and final cost and time gathered. The study revealed that the awareness and practice of TQM has gradually improving in the construction industry. The most applied principle of TQM is purchasing of standard construction materials but sadly, communication and effective transfer of information is lacking between employees and top managers. The major factor affecting the implementation of TQM principles is inadequate facilities, machine, tools and equipment for effective work on site. This is rather, a negative factor which proves that there is still a tendency of structural failure due to poor technical installation of quality standard materials purchased. Results reveals that problem of poor economy is not a barrier towards achieving quality project delivery. This research also proves that although delay in construction time can still be expected on construction projects were TQM is applied, its time performance is still better than that of projects executed through the conventional methods. TQM application also proves to gives good cost performance and better quality project delivery. The study further recommends that; government should create a policy in the construction industry which will mandate construction firms to adopt TQM principles as part of their quality strategy, the construction industry should review the practice of TQM towards managing time of project delivery, kin interest should be given to factors affecting the implementation of TQM principles, more focus should be placed on communication between managers and employees, use of modern technologies, tools and equipment, etc. for a better installation of the acquired quality standard materials in the construction industry.