Small, E P; Bakry, I and Ayyash, L (2021) Evaluating the effect of TQM on mep construction productivity and project delivery in Dubai. International Journal of Construction Management, 21(10), pp. 1061-1075. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
Management techniques, such as Total Quality Management (TQM), have been proven to provide a positive impact on construction productivity. Despite this, TQM is rarely employed on construction projects in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This paper quantitatively documents the effect of applying TQM on construction productivity in the Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) sector of construction using an active MEP subcontract. The utilized project consisted of two mirror-image sides; each managed independently using alternative managerial approaches: TQM on side A and status-quo procedures on side B. Data was collected and Earned Value analysis was used to compare the performance of both sides over the life of the subcontract. The study showed measurable benefits in terms of productivity and project progress through the implementation of TQM. Applying TQM through integrated management, better communication and involvement of all participants resulted in an increase of productivity up to 3%. Results are hoped to influence the willingness of the construction community to implement TQM and to further explore other management approaches.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | mechanical, electrical and plumbing ; productivity; project delivery; total quality management |
| Index terms: | productivity, North Africa, construction community, implementation, construction productivity, plumbing, project delivery, Middle East, total quality management, subcontract, Dubai, construction project, earned value analysis, documents |
| Subjects: | contract type, mechanical systems, contractual arrangements, project delivery, financial and cost management, evaluation methods, operations management, production management, Geography, professional development, physical geography and landforms, management |
| Topics: | Cost Management, Business Strategy, Information Management, Geographical Context, Project Management, Procurement, Design Practice, Quality Management, Contract Administration |
| Descriptive scope: | 2 PC |
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