EVALUATION OF TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF CONTRACTORS IN BUILDING INDUSTRY IN ABUJA, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT Many of the management practices used to support construction organisations are being challenged. The industry’s clients are moving forward and demanding improved quality service, faster project delivery and innovations in technology. Total Quality Management (TQM) has increasingly been adopted by construction companies as an initiative to solve quality problems and to meet the needs of the final customer. This research therefore aims at evaluating the Total Quality Management Practices of contractors in building industry in Abuja, Nigeria. The study identified TQM practices used by contractors in housing delivery in Abuja, the level of commitment of contractors to TQM, the challenges encountered by contractors while implementing TQM and measures for effective quality assurance practice through the use of TQM. Quantitative research approach was used, field survey was carried out, structured questionnaires were administered to contractors and response were subjected to statistical analysis. The findings showed that most respondents were familiar with total quality management practices; its application was relatively low; further to this, it came to light that the potential barriers to the attainment of total quality management among construction firm are: lack of effective Supervision (3.91) ranked 1st followed by effective Communication (3.50) and Management’s Commitment to Quality Assurance (3.50) ranked 2nd, Proper Equipment available for use (3.36) ranked 3rd, Quality Assurance Team to lead the process (3.33) ranked 4th. More importantly, in curbing the above-mentioned potential barriers the study revealed the following as measures for effective quality management practices, namely: Management Commitment, Communication between Managers and Employees, Employee Involvement, Detailed and Logical Work Program, Regular Inspection and Audit of Quality Report, Training and Education of Team Members and Review/Analysis. The research therefore recommended that construction companies should create a flexible and conducive organizational atmosphere which encourages the development of total quality management practices in all aspect of their work. Furthermore, construction firms should be encouraged to apply total quality management techniques during the execution of project and engage/include personnel in charge of Quality as part of an integrated team in the Project Management and Delivery process.