TQM application by client organisations in Hong Kong

Abstract

This paper describes a structured questionnaire survey that explores the perception of client organisations in Hong Kong on the adoption of total quality management (TQM) in their organisations. The overall survey result indicates that the TQM philosophy has been cultivated in the construction industry in Hong Kong and the positive effects of TQM awareness are becoming visible. There are indications that the construction industry is becoming more familiar with the TQM principles through the efforts of the government client departments and other major client organisations. The survey also identifies short-term needs to raise the effectiveness of the application of TQM principles for current and scheduled projects, and also the long-term needs that are important to sustainable business development.

Keywords:

• Construction industry
• client
• developer
• quality assurance
• total quality management

Acknowledgement

This paper is written based on a part of the first author’s Ph.D. study in The Hong Kong Polytechnic University completed in 2015.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Andrew W T Lau

Dr Andrew W T Lau obtained his BEng (Hons) degree and Ph.D. degree from the Civil Engineering Department, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He also holds a Construction Management Diploma. He is a member of The Chartered Institute of Building and a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers.

Raymond T Aoieong

Dr Raymond T Aoieong (B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D., MASCE) is a faculty member in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Macau. He obtained his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Ottawa. Before joining the University of Macau, he worked for consulting firms in Canada as a Structural Engineer for over five years. He received his Ph.D. degree from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He has published many papers on construction quality. He is a co-author of the book entitled “Construction Quality Management” published by the Hong Kong University Press. Dr Aoieong’s research interest includes project management, construction quality and environmental management. He is a registered professional engineer and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

S L Tang

Ir Prof S L Tang is teaching in the University of Macau. He obtained his B.Sc. degree in Civil Engineering from The University of Hong Kong, M.Sc. degree in construction engineering from the National University of Singapore, and Ph.D. degree from the civil engineering department of Loughborough University in the UK. He is a Fellow of The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (FHKIE) and also a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (FICE).