Mukwanason, D E; Tutesigensi, A; Kayondo, M and Mutikanga, H E (2023) Impact of project quality culture on defects in infrastructure projects. In: Tutesigensi, A and Neilson, C J (eds.) Proceedings of 39th Annual ARCOM Conference, 4-6 September 2023, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
Abstract
A Quality Management System (QMS) compliant with the ISO 9001 requirements is a necessity for the bidders of most Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) type contracts in developing countries - to ensure quality assurance and quality control during project implementation. However, construction defects and rework continue to torment infrastructure projects despite the ISO 9001 certification of the key project players (client, consultant, and contractor). This research investigates the mismatch between an ISO-9001-certified QMS and quality-related poor performance in infrastructure projects. A single case study approach was adopted, and project documentation was scrutinised using thematic analysis. Frequency analysis was then used to identify project cultural factors contributing to poor-quality performance, which were later analysed against the ISO 9001:2015 principles of quality management using qualitative software. Recalcitrant Project Quality Culture (PQC) was found to be a key cause of the defective work. Hence, we argue that honest and cooperative implementation of a tripartite PQC would reduce the severity of defects and rework in EPC construction projects.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | defects; projects; quality; culture; ISO 9001 certification. |
| Index terms: | construction defect, ISO, mismatch, certification, thematic analysis, quality control, project documentation, implementation, bidder, rework, quality management system, case study, quality performance, quality management, developing country, quality assurance, infrastructure project, construction project |
| Subjects: | contract obligations, bidding, data collection methods, development economics, quality assurance, engineering problems, standards development, infrastructure and transport systems, administrative processes, production management, project planning, project delivery, operations management, contractual arrangements, methods and analysis |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Engineering Principles, International Construction, Quality Management, Procurement, Contract Administration, Legal Issues, Project 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