Assessing the knowledge and compliance of Quality Management practice among Ghanaian Construction Organisations

Abstract

Construction organisations are using Quality Management Systems (QMS) increasingly as a strategy to address issues with quality in their sector to satisfy end-user requirements. Unfortunately, construction projects in Ghana constantly face lack of quality management practices. This study aimed to evaluate perceived benefits, knowledge about QMS practice and compliance among professionals in the Ghanaian Construction Industry. A cross-sectional quantitative approach was adopted involving the administering of an online questionnaire, which yielded 142 responses from respondents who occupy mid-level and senior level positions in the construction industry. It was found out that the respondents had a satisfactory knowledge of QMS practice and its importance. They demonstrated their knowledge by admitting that certain quality drivers such as teamwork and quality education as well as quality measures such as delivering projects within a specified time frame indicate a successful QMS implementation. Finally, organisations’ compliance to QMS standards based on participants responses were assessed. It was established that about 65 percent of participants were reported to be compliant. Even though this proportion is appreciable, client satisfaction may be compromised in project delivery.