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Articles

An empirical study of quality management systems in the Saudi construction industry

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Abstract

Construction firms work in a harsh competitive environment where every company struggles to ensure that its projects are successfully completed with the constraints of best quality, cost and time. Quality management systems (QMS) have been widely used by world-class construction companies to ensure successful projects delivery. The main purpose of the present study is to evaluate the degree of readiness of Saudi construction firms operating in Hail region towards the implementation of QMS and the proper use of quality tools. The perception of both managerial and technical staff about QMS and quality tools is investigated and analysed. Based on previous research dealing with QMS and quality tools implementation in the construction industry, a comprehensive survey tool is designed and conducted. Results show a high degree of misunderstanding of QMS strategies, tools and techniques in the surveyed construction firms. The study indicates that organizational culture represents a real barrier impeding the implementation of QMS and quality tools in the Saudi construction sector.

Acknowledgement

The present research work has been undertaken within the “Binladin Research Chair on Quality and Productivity Improvement in the Construction Industry” funded by the Saudi Binladin Constructions Group. The authors would like to thank the construction companies operating in Hail region (Saudi Arabia), for their contribution in the study and the valuable discussions and comments their managerial and technical staff provided during the course of this research work.

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