Abstract
D.Phil. (Engineering Management)
This research project investigated and modelled Total Quality Management (TQM) for the Ghanaian construction industry. The primary aim of the research was to model the extent to which Leadership/Top Management features, Company Supplier Quality Management features, Client Focus and Involvement features, Company Quality System Evaluation features, Company Vision and Plan Statement features, Product Design Management features, Product Selection Management features, Construction Process Management and Improvement features, and Construction Employees’ Involvement and Motivation features predict TQM for the construction industry, these factors being classified as the exogenous variables. Mixed-methods research which involved both Qualitative and Quantitative approaches was adopted for the study. Empirical data was collected through a Delphi study and a field questionnaire survey. Analysis of results from the Delphi study was done with Microsoft Excel to output descriptive statistics. A conceptual integrated TQM for the Ghanaian construction industry model was based on the theory developed from literature review findings and the Delphi study. A questionnaire survey was conducted among the top management working in the construction industry in Ghana. From the 641 sample questionnaires, 536 questionnaires were returned which represents 83.62 per cent. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted on the initial eight-factor constructs and their variables to determine their reliability for their inclusion in the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Nine-factor constructs were realized after the EFA factor loading test. Further, CFA was conducted on these nine-factor constructs using structural equation modelling (SEM) software with Eqations (EQS) version 6.2 software programme to validate and determine their reliability and inclusion in the final model. Findings from the literature on TQM studies revealed the theory that TQM implementations and practices and the latent variables lead to TQM in the construction industry. Findings from the Delphi study revealed that several factors (Leadership/Top Management features, Company Supplier Quality Management features, Client Focus and Involvement features, Company Quality System Evaluation features, Company Vision and Plan Statement features, Product Selection and Design Management features, Construction Process Management and Improvement features, and Construction Employees’ Involvement and Motivation features) were considered to be the most important determinants of TQM in the Ghanaian construction industry. Both findings revealed that TQM could be considered as an eight-factor model defined by the influence of TQM practices and experts in construction...