This research has been conducted for examining the impact of total quality management on performance of construction projects in China. In order to analyse the impact of total quality management on performance of projects, quantitative research method is used. By following quantitative research method, the researcher conducted the survey through primary data collected from 50 contractors of 10 construction companies operating in China. The data collected from contractors was analysed using descriptive analysis technique. It has been found from current study that there is a significant impact of total quality management practices on performance of construction projects. There are some significant aspects of total quality management that are commitment of top level management, role of contractors and employees and evaluation of TQM that help in improving performance of construction projects. Due to lack of appropriate knowledge construction companies fail to implement total quality management and due to this their performance level is also reduced. It means in construction companies, there is a strong need of knowledge development and management among employees, so that they can implement total quality management in an effective way. It has been found from current research that implementation of TQM can cause improved performance in the construction organisation. The study has revealed that management’s commitment is considered to be very important for ensuring success of construction projects. Moreover, knowledge and motivation level of contractors and employees play a significant role in increasing effectiveness and performance of construction projects. In the end of this research, limitations and recommendations have been provided.

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1.Background

Total quality management is a strategic approach used in organisations for focusing on continuous improvement in order to provide best possible value as well as quality goods and services to customers. There is a strong linkage between quality theory and total quality management (Sallis, 2014). Specifically in construction industry, total quality management plays a vital role in enhancement of quality, satisfaction level of customers, employees’ engagement and improving construction process. Different construction companies have experienced that TQM can help them in gaining competitive advantage and in addition to this construction companies can also get strategic advantage with the help of TQM implementation (Oakland, 2014). By properly implementing total quality management, companies become able to bring improvements in their performance, productivity and competitiveness. Various researchers found that quality of construction projects can be considerably improved through better implementation of total quality management. There is generally 90% improvement in quality of construction projects through total quality management (Kerzner, 2013). The present study is conducted in order to examine the effect of total quality management on performance of construction projects in China.

The total quality management in companies helps in ensuring efforts for achieving needed quality level for the project for which proper planning is done. From the point of view of construction firm, quality management must be done to maintain quality of construction projects at needed standard. This is done for ensuring higher satisfaction level of customers. Through high satisfaction level of customers, companies become capable of achieving competitiveness. There is critical need of quality management for construction companies for sustaining competitiveness of company in construction industry. It has been explained by Harris and Oakland (2014) that aim of quality management is giving relevant tools and techniques to the environment. The deployment is done through proper tools and techniques for getting operational success. The quality management in construction companies is not considered to be an isolated activity, but in total quality management there is an involvement of various operational and managerial activities.

The construction industry is considered to be a significant industry in economy of any country as it helps in development of economy. Construction Company has an effect on quality of life through provision of building facilities and these play a vital role in development of nation’s economy. Construction companies are considered to be very important for the development of country (Meng, 2012). There is significant impact of quality of infrastructure and projects of construction on growth and development of country. Quality is the basic element in construction industry as it does not only affect appearance but also overall performance and productivity of project. In construction companies, the focus of performance evaluatio