Abstract
The survival and growth of Nigerian small and medium-sized construction firms are essential in employment generation and economic growth of the country regarded as Africa’s best/strongest? economy. The nature of the construction industry in Nigeria has allowed the participation of small to medium-sized contractors; however, they are viewed as being underdeveloped, particularly when compared to their foreign counterparts. Moreover, they have to contend with fundamental challenges such as insufficient technical and administrative expertise, and inadequate finances, material and equipment. Hence, this study assesses total quality management (TQM) in the survival of small and medium construction enterprises (SMEs) in Lagos, Nigeria. The quantitative research technique was used in the collection of data from construction SMEs and other relevant construction project stakeholders in Nigeria. Out of 188 questionnaires sent to the eligible construction SMEs, 164 were returned, representing a response rate of 87%. The data obtained from this study were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation of factor analysis. The empirical reliabilities tests result revealed values greater than 0.70. Findings from data analysis revealed that the Nigerian Quality Award is the most popular TQM award among Nigerian construction SMEs. In addition, top management commitment, training and education, customer focus, and motivation are the most prominent TQM practices in the Nigerian construction SMEs. Also, the study showed that training and process management, leadership and employees’ involvement, customer focus, and customer relationship are the key determinants for the successful implementation of TQM practices among the many construction SMEs in Lagos, Nigeria. Furthermore, the study revealed that lack of staff education and training, inconsistent support and guidance from top management are ranked the most significant barriers to the effective implementation of TQM practices to organizational growth of Nigerian construction SMEs. Also, the foremost impacts of TQM on construction SMEs growth in Nigeria include effective project progress monitoring, improved organizational performance, and reduction in reworks, among others. Finally, the study identified properly defined scope of work, quality assurance, and effective implementation of TQM project management as the top three ways for TQM practices’ adaptation in Nigerian construction SMEs. The study recommended that top management of the construction SMEs should ensure frequent assessment of TQM in their construction activities and ensure compliance of building standards, the National Building Code of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Quality Award.
M.Tech. (Operations Management)