Zhang, Q W; Liao, P C; Liang, M and Chan, A P C (2024) Critical factors influencing learning from quality failures in the construction of grid infrastructure. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 31(4), pp. 1730-1750. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: Quality failures in grid infrastructure construction would cause large-scale collapses in power supply and additional expenditures by reworks and repairs. Learning from quality failures (LFQF) extracts experience from previous quality events and converts them into preventive measures to reduce or eliminate future construction quality issues. This study aims to investigate the influence factors of LFQF in the construction of grid infrastructure. Design/methodology/approach: The related factors of LFQF, including quality management (QM) practices, quality rectification, and individual learning, were identified by reviewing literature about organizational learning and extracting experience from previous failures. A questionnaire survey was distributed to the grid companies in North, Northeast, Northwest, East, Central, and Southwest China. 381 valid responses collected and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the influence of these factors on LFQF. Findings: The SEM results support that QM practices positively affect individual learning and LFQF. Quality rectification indirectly impacts LFQF via individual learning, while the results did not support the direct link between quality rectification and LFQF. Practical implications: The findings strengthen practical insights into extracting experience from poor-quality issues and continuous improvement. The contributory factors of LFQF found in this study benefit the practitioners by taking effective measures to enhance organizational learning capability and improve the long-term construction quality performance in the grid infrastructure industry. Originality/value: Existing research about the application of LFQF still stays at the explorative and conceptual stage. This study investigates the related factors of LFQF, including QM practices, quality rectification, and individual learning, extending the model development of learning from failures (LFF) in construction QM.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction quality management; individual learning; learning from quality failures; organizational learning |
| Index terms: | survey, structural equation modelling, rework, organizational learning, construction quality, China, model development, repair, infrastructure construction, practitioner, questionnaire, methodology, critical factor, continuous improvement, contributory factor, quality management, quality issue |
| Subjects: | practitioner, risk assessment, data collection methods, analytical methods, operations management, Geography, professional development, performance measurement, civil engineering, research methods, maintenance engineering, statistical analysis, quality assurance |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Engineering Principles, Information Management, Geographical Context, Project Management, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Risk Management, Quality Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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