Total Quality Management Processes: An Assessment on the Performance of Construction Firms in Pampanga, Philippines

Abstract

The demand for effective and efficient performance in construction industry had gone skyrocketing for the past few years. This is due to the rapid escalation of modernization that affects mainly the market trend. Hence, a considerable number of studies, mostly from the developing countries, suggest that adopting and implementing Total Quality Management is likely to improve an organization and become competitive in the global market. In the Philippines, TQM has not been fully implemented for its effectivity is still being questioned and challenged. Having to think that the Philippines is a developing country, it is a must to invest more in its construction sector to stimulate growth and development. Moreover, this study attempts to explore the impact of possible TQM implementation to a small population, Pampanga; and to end the long-gone endeavour in the improvement of quality of construction companies in the country. The researchers used both quantitative and qualitative research techniques in collecting data by conducting semi-structured interviews and distributing survey-form questionnaire. The data was analysed then using descriptive and inferential statistics and thematic analysis facilitated by software to come up with answers to the research objectives which are determining the extent of TQM knowledge and awareness among construction firms and establishing the effect of TQM to the construction processes by correlating TQM Key Factors and Project Performance Indicators. Lastly, a framework was developed in the hope of contributing to the improvement of construction processes. The findings on the study can be an empirical evidence for future endeavours of how TQM can be a competitive advantage.