TQEM in the UK construction industry: Some key findings from a survey

Khaddour, Lina; Darkwa, Jo

Abstract

As building projects get larger and more complex, clients are also increasingly demanding higher standards for their delivery. Total Quality Environmental Management (TQEM) has been recognized as a successful management philosophy in the manufacturing industries. TQEM can likewise be embraced in the construction industry to help raise its environmental standards, quality and productivity. Construction firms have been continually struggling with TQEM implementation. Historically, construction has been an industry reluctant to implement change. Consequently, it has remained behind where it should be on the implementation of TQEM. Generally, the principles of TQEM are not applied beyond management levels within general contractors. This paper reports on a study to identify those factors that hinder the implementation of TQEM principles in the actual field operations of a construction jobsite. This paper presents a survey result on UK construction companies. It investigates the key successful factor, barriers, benefits that may result form implementing TQEM. The results illustrate TQEM can be successfully implemented in the construction industry towards sustainable development (SD). The benefits experienced include reduction in quality costs, better employee job satisfaction because they do not need to attend to defects and client complaints, recognition by clients, work carried out correctly right from the start, subcontractors with proper quality management systems, and closer relationships with subcontractors and suppliers. TQEM performance measures were also reflected through top management commitment, customer involvement and satisfaction, employee involvement and empowerment, customer–supplier relationships, and process improvement and management. Finally, a conceptual framework for implementing TQEM in construction is recommended.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (Published)
• Conference Name: 24th Annual ARCOM Conference
• Start Date: Sep 1, 2008
• End Date: Sep 3, 2008
• Publication Date: 2008
• Deposit Date: Dec 12, 2023
• Volume: 1
• Pages: 239–246
• Book Title: Proceedings 24th Annual ARCOM Conference
• ISBN: 978-0-9552390-1-4
• Keywords: construction, environment, quality, total quality environmental management (TQEM)
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/3421031
• Publisher URL: https://www.arcom.ac.uk/-docs/proceedings/ar2008-239-246_Khadour_and_Darkwa.pdf