ABSTRACT

The study on the impact of quality management system on the timely delivery of projects aimed at evaluating quality management system and timely delivery of projects also to determine the relationship between key performance indicators of quality management system and timely delivery of projects in Nigeria and to determine the problems affecting effective quality management system implementation. The study made use of primary data which are gotten from the distribution of the research questionnaires; the sample size for the study is 100. The study made use of the Pearson correlation method for the analysis. The study therefore concluded that there is a statistically significantly (0.00) strong relationship (0.819) between the responses of the respondents that said that there is significant relationship between key performance indicators of quality management system and timely delivery of projects in Nigeria and those that said that quality management system affect the quality of the outcome of the construction projects. The study also made useful recommendation to assist the construction companies in decision making.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The performance of the construction companies in Nigeria is seen from their timely delivery of construction projects. The level of competition is mostly seen in the construction sector compared to other sectors in Nigeria.

        According to Neyestani and Juanzon, (2016) most of the challenges faced by the construction companies are usually workmanship defects and cost overrun in the completion of the construction projects coupled with the fact that there is huge competition in the construction industry. With the dynamism in globalization and improved competition, the construction companies need to modify and improve its system in order to achieve the organizational objectives.

        According to Zwikael and Smyrk, (2011) stated that studies in about 776 projects from seven construction industries in different countries (developed and developing) show that construction and engineering companies were able to achieve their overall objectives as a result of planning, analyzing and controlling by project managements in the construction companies.

        According to Kerzner, (2010) defined a successful project management as having achieved the project objectives on time, within cost, and quality (scope) to meet client's demands or requirement. In the same vain Ali and Rahmat, (2010) stated that the quality of the project is the most significant factors that depicts the success of a construction project but some reports criticized the construction industry in terms of the productivity, the quantity and quality of projects.

Mane and Patil, (2015) in their research discovered that the majority of project managers focus on the cost and time instead of quality for construction projects, but the scholars emphasize more attention should be towards quality. These days, quality is not just seen in the products and services in the organizations, it can be related to the process, system, and management as well.

Quality of construction project is a general philosophy by which process is carried in a total quality infrastructure (Alberto, 2011). The total quality infrastructure consists of several key pieces. The first, and one of the most important, is the quality system (Juran and Godfrey, 1999) as a business management tool. In 1987, the first edition of quality system was introduced by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to aim quality and customer's satisfaction improvement. QMS is included systematic approach, documentation, guidance, and audit that can be a part of every project management processes from the moment the project initiates to the final steps in the project closure phase as well (Aized, 2012).

ISO 9001 can improve the efficiency of the processes of the organizations by generic guidance and documentations, and continual improvement through “Plan-Do-Check-Act” (PDCA) methodology to achieve successfully the satisfaction of customer and quality objectives. Unfortunately, most construction companies in developing countries believe establishing QMS is just wasting time and money for consultancy, training, periodical internal and external audit, and certification fee, without any benefit, and it is just useful to have its certification as a market tool. Therefore, the managers often focus on the certification as the primary objective and requirement more than value in the projects, and this kind of the notion can cause inefficient operation and lack of an effective QMS. That is why the most project managers do not usually take a broad enough view of what quality constitutes as QMS, and is not measuring how the project can add value to the client in the short and long term (Madsen, 2013).

Some studies showed that lack of support from Top management is the most barriers to implement QMS in construction industry (khattak, and Arshad, 2015). Also, the lack of enough evidence concerning how QMS actually affects on organizational practices and performance (lack of awareness in benefits of QMS) is a big problem to motive owners and managers of construction companies in implementing QMS.

1. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The Nigeria construction sector is underperforming because of inefficient or nonexistent quality management procedures, significant expenditures of time, money, and resources are wasted on construction projects (Rounds and Chi, 1985) cited in (Battikha, 2002). In addition, the lack of quality due to deficient construction quality management is detected through nonconformance to established requirements. In construction, non-conformance occurs when the finished state of a project and its components deviates from the established requirements. Quality-related problems during construction can be projected on the operating life of the finished project. To a contractor, nonconformance can yield penalties as well as cost time burdens for re-work, which can convert into productivity loss (Battikha, 2000a). Lastly there have been series of study on quality management system but none of these studies have focused on the impact of quality management system on the timely delivery of projects.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main aim of the research work is to determine the impact of quality management system on the timely delivery of projects. The specific objectives of the study are:

to determine the effect of quality management system on timely delivery of projects

to determine the relationship between key performance indicators of quality management system and timely delivery of projects in Nigeria

to determine the problems affecting effective quality management system implementation

to recommend ways to improve quality management system and timely delivery of projects in Nigeria

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study came up with research questions so as to ascertain the above stated objectives of the study. The following research questions guide the objectives of the study:

What is the effect of quality management system on timely delivery of projects?

What is the relationship between key performance indicators of quality management system and timely delivery of projects in Nigeria?

What are the problems affecting effective quality management system implementation?

What are the ways to improve quality management system and timely delivery of projects in Nigeria?

1.5 STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS

H0: there is no significant relationship between key performance indicators of quality management system and timely delivery of projects in Nigeria

H1: there is significant relationship between key performance indicators of quality management system and timely delivery of projects in Nigeria

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study on the impact of quality management system on the timely delivery of projects will be of immense benefit to the construction sector in Nigeria. The study will explore the concept of quality management system and how they can be applied to the timely delivery of projects. It will serve as a guide to project managers in areas of improving their performance in delivery of projects. The study will also serve as a repository of information to other researchers and students that desire to carry out similar research on the above topic. Finally the study will contribute to the body of the existing literature on impact of quality management system on the timely delivery of projects.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study will cover on the impact of quality management system on the timely delivery of projects from 2000-2019

1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: A quality management system is a collection of business processes focused on consistently meeting customer requirements and enhancing their satisfaction. It is aligned with an organization's purpose and strategic direction (Wikipedia.org)

PROJECT DELIVERY METHOD: A project delivery method is a system used by an agency or owner for organizing and financing design, construction, operations, and maintenance services for a structure or facility by entering into legal agreements with one or more entities or parties (Wikipedia.org).

TQM: Total quality management