Total Quality Management Practices in the Nigerian Construction Industry

Abstract

Total quality management (TQM) is one of the many quality-oriented techniques that has been identified as a successful management philosophy that can be effectively implemented in the construction industry. The purpose of this paper is to assess the influence of Total Quality management (TQM) practices on organisational performance in medium and large sized construction companies in the Nigerian construction industry. A comprehensive review of relevant literature was carried out to identify the variables to be included in the questionnaire survey which was later self-administered to 155 managers of medium and large sized construction companies in Abuja, Nigeria. The data obtained from the survey were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The findings from the survey revealed that there are six areas of quality practices within the organisations studied: Top Management Commitment, Customer Focus, Supplier Relationship, Employee Involvement and Empowerment, Work Environment and Benchmarking which were found to be statistically significant to TQM practices in their various organisational performance levels. The findings further indicate that construction companies implement TQM to a high extent in their various organisational levels which implies that TQM practices have high influence on organisational performance in construction companies. The findings from Africa on practices of TQM in the construction industry especially from the Nigerian construction industry perspective should arose the interest of researchers globally who are keen in using comparable paradigm for continuous business improvement. Limited research on this subject in the study area attests to its originality. However, the findings presented here are of invaluable benefits to the management of construction companies as well as major stakeholders in construction in Nigeria and other developing countries to achieve excellence in organisational performance.