Kumaraswamy, M M (1996) The pursuit of quality in Hong Kong construction. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 3(4), pp. 289-306. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Construction organizations have responded in different ways to the increasing demands for quality. An interim assessment of the benefits and costs of different approaches is useful in determining future directions for organizations that have already, or are about to, set up construction quality management systems. Evidence from a series of surveys in Hong Kong indicates that long term strategies are needed, for example targeting total quality management' or comprehensive quality management systems, with ISO 9000 certification being only one step along this route. Specific issues to be addressed are identified, such as the development of construction-specific guidelines and the integration of safety and dispute avoidance systems in a comprehensive quality management system. A framework is also proposed to assist in selecting the optimal quality management route for a given construction organization. Lessons learned from Hong Kong and elsewhere can be incorporated in this framework, and will help separate rhetoric from reality in rationalizing the quality management strategies of construction organizations.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Hong Kong; ISO 9000; quality system; total quality management |
| Index terms: | dispute, Hong Kong, construction organization, quality management, quality management system, survey, strategy, certification, management system, ISO, total quality management, construction quality, lessons learned, evidence, integration |
| Subjects: | quality assurance, administrative processes, organizational analysis, professional development, Geography, management, project delivery, evaluation methods, standards development, dispute resolution, organization, data collection methods, evaluation and assessment methods |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Legal Issues, Contract Administration, Organizational Design, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Information Management, Business Strategy |
| 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