Alencastro, J; Fuertes, A and de Wilde, P (2024) Investigating the influence of quality management on building thermal performance. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 31(8), pp. 3356-3376. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: Despite the number of quality management procedures being currently applied, construction defects in the domestic sector are acknowledged to contribute to the energy performance gap of buildings. This paper investigates the limitations and challenges to the implementation of project quality plans (PQPs) and their impact on the achievement of expected thermal performance in the UK social housing projects. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative approach, guided by grounded theory, was used in this research. This methodology provided the structure for systematic data analysis iterations, enabling cross-case analysis. An analytic induction process was designed to seek the explanation of the targeted phenomenon and required data collection until no new ideas and concepts emerged from the research iterations. This study collected data from five social housing projects through interviews, site observations and project documentation. Findings: Multiple limitations and challenges were identified in the implementation of PQP to deliver thermal efficient social housing. Generally, there is the need for more objective quality compliance procedures based on required evidence. When investigating the root of the challenges, it was concluded that the adoption of statutory approval as the main quality compliance procedure led to the dilution of the responsibility for prevention and appraisal of defects that compromised the effectiveness of PQP devised by housing associations (HA) and contractors. Originality/value: This study identifies the shortcomings of PQP in addressing quality issues with potential to undermine the thermal performance of social housing projects. The findings could be used by HA, contractors and policymakers as steppingstones to improve the energy efficiency in the domestic sector.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction defects; quality management; social housing; thermal performance |
| Index terms: | compliance, approval, interview, data analysis, methodology, energy performance gap, project documentation, cross-case analysis, evidence, thermal performance, appraisal, housing association, energy efficiency, construction defect, qualitative approach, grounded theory, quality issue, effectiveness, prevention, social housing, quality management, implementation |
| Subjects: | quality assurance, housing and residential development, financial risk, health safety and environment, research methods, performance management, theoretical framing, factor and component analysis, contractual arrangements, data analysis and analytics, contract obligations, project planning, energy systems, sustainability and energy, institutional client, data collection methods, evaluation and assessment methods, contractual role |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Urban Studies, Legal Issues, Contract Administration, Engineering Principles, Project Management, Research Practice, Health and Safety, Cost Management, Sustainability, Procurement, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here