Bukari, C; Kheni, N A; Boateng, I; Owusu-Ansah, C M and Simpson, K B (2026) Integrating knowledge management with total quality management to enhance construction project delivery in Ghana. Construction Economics and Building, 26(1), ISSN 2204-9029
Abstract
The integration of knowledge management (KM) with total quality management (TQM) has a significant impact on project and organization performance. While previous literature has linked KM with TQM within the broader concept of organizational development and project performance, there was a notable gap concerning their application to construction projects in developing countries like Ghana. Thus, there is little information on the variables that contribute to their relationship. This study aimed to fill these gaps by investigating the integration of KM practices with TQM principles specifically in the Ghanaian construction industry, and identifying essential factors for this integration. A cross-sectional survey design was used and the population considered in this study consisted of architects, quantity surveyors, and civil engineers in the Ghanaian construction industry. The study adopted a purposive sampling technique. Quantitative data were collected from 256 professionals. Descriptive statistical techniques and the partial least squares structural equation modeling techniques were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that a one-unit rise in knowledge management processes (KMPs) corresponds to a roughly 0.839-standard deviation increase in TQM, suggesting that implementing KM will potentially improve the implementation of TQM principles during the delivery of construction projects. Conversely, a decrease in KMP is associated with a decrease in TQM. This can be implemented practically when there is leadership competence and commitment to ensure a culture of KM processes and TQM practices for the project to perform effectively. Theoretically, the study contributes to current discourse on KM and TQM from a fresh perspective.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction project delivery; integration; knowledge management; total quality management |
| Index terms: | organizational development, integration, population, construction project, knowledge management, partial least square, total quality management, developing country, survey, construction project delivery, civil engineer, commitment, structural equation modelling, architect, project performance, leadership competence, implementation, purposive sampling, construction industry, quantity surveying, Ghana, deviation |
| Subjects: | project controls, organizational analysis, statistical analysis, industry analysis, project management theory and practice, professional development, evaluation methods, financial and cost management, business, profession, data collection methods, demography, leadership, research methods, development economics, Geography, production management, psychology, contractual arrangements |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Time Control, International Construction, Urban Studies, Roles and Professions, Information Management, Research Practice, Cost Management, Quality Management, Procurement, Geographical Context, Project Management |
| 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