Nyakala, S; Pretorius, J and Vermeulen, A (2020) Construction quality process implementation as a source of competitive advantage in small and medium-sized construction projects. Journal of Construction Business and Management, 4(2), pp. 46-54. ISSN 2521-0165
Abstract
It is generally accepted that construction quality process implementation improves construction project performance through the systematic application of quality practices. It is equally established that current quality management systems, particularly compliance management, are essential for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking effective completion of road-building infrastructure. Despite the opportunities offered by these quality practices, there are potential pitfalls. As low-cost economies proliferate, South African construction SMEs are under increasing pressure to be more flexible and innovative. The study examines the factors affecting the quality of work produced by construction SMEs through a regulatory road building procedure, namely design, construction, and execution. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 165 SME contractors, designers, and their experience was recorded of construction quality standards and performance improvement on completed work in the public sector in South Africa. A combination of descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyse the data. The empirical findings established that five construction quality process factors affect the quality of road infrastructure projects undertaken by construction SMEs. These factors comprise construction process and design; construction quality management at the site level; the development and implementation of quality procedures and requirements; quality benchmarking issues; continuous improvement and communication. This study is of value to designers/consultants and managers in the construction SME sector as it helps to establish the factors affecting the quality of road infrastructure projects. Managers in analogous environments may also use the results of this study as a benchmark for competitive advantage. The results also provide a guideline for the successful construction quality implementation in small and medium-sized construction projects.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | continuous improvement; design; performance; quality management; questionnaire survey; South Africa |
| Index terms: | competitive advantage, continuous improvement, designer, public sector, quality management system, performance improvement, implementation, quality management, statistics, infrastructure project, compliance, manager, survey, construction process, construction project, questionnaire, South Africa, benchmarking, construction quality |
| Subjects: | market analysis, building construction, administrative law, infrastructure and transport systems, quality assurance, performance measurement, production management, health safety and environment, Geography, contractual arrangements, project delivery, data collection methods, profession, mathematical modelling, practitioner |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Geographical Context, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Health and Safety, Procurement, Roles and Professions, Quality Management, Legal Issues, Site Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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