1.1.Background

Total Quality Management is an approach that has a main focus on continuous improvement in companies for providing best value and quality products to its customers. The recent generation of total quality management depends on quality theory (Sallis, 2014). In construction industry, there is a significant role of TQM for enhancing quality, for enhancing customers’ satisfaction, involvement of employees and improvement in process of construction. It has been experienced by many construction firms that with the help of effective implementation of TQM, companies can gain competitive advantage as well as strategic advantaged in construction industry (Oakland, 2014). Through proper implementation of Total Quality Management, firms become capable of bringing improvements in productivity, competitiveness as well as overall performance of projects. It has been reported by different researchers that proper implementation of TQM can result in quality enhancement of construction projects and the rate of improvement in quality is 90% in most of construction firms (Kerzner, 2013). This research will be conducted for examining the impact of Total Quality Management on performance of construction projects in China.

Different empirical studies are conducted and these studies have found a significant positive impact of TQM implementation on quality of construction companies. From some of researchers, the positive relationship between Total Quality Management and organizational performance has also been found. This research will help contractors of China in identification of positive impacts of TQM implementation on performance of companies.

1.2.Research Aim

The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of Total Quality Management on performance of construction projects in China.

1.3.Research Objectives

The research will be conducted for achieving following objectives;

• To study literature for understanding the concept of Total Quality Management.
• To assess the use of Total Quality Management in construction industry.
• To examine the influence of Total Quality Management practices on performance of construction projects in China.

1.4.Research Questions

The research will be conducted for answering following questions;

• What literature says about the concept of Total Quality Management?
• To what extent construction companies use Total Quality Management in their construction projects?
• Does Total Quality Management affect performance of construction projects in China?

2.Literature Review

Different researchers studied the use of Total Quality Management in companies for improving performance as well as quality. A study was conducted by Meng (2012) and it has been found that TQM is implemented by professionals of construction companies at various stages. The study has also found that with the help of TQM, companies get many advantages like improvement in quality of business, increase in customer satisfaction level, reduction in cost etc.

Similarly, another research Zink (2012) found that in construction industry the management understood the importance of TQM a bit late because there were unaware of standards and techniques of TQM. For bringing various advantages of TQM to construction projects, there is a need of putting high efforts for spreading the culture of TQM among professionals of construction.

Kim et al (2012) conducted a study to analyze the importance and willingness of construction companies for implementation of TQM while completing projects. The data collected from this study has showed that contractors give prior importance to TQM implementation in their projects, as these help in reduction costs and improving quality of projects.

In contrast to this, a study was conducted by Bendoly (2014) found that when companies have lack of concise knowledge about quality and importance of TQM, then they do not give high importance to TQM implementation in projects. In construction industry, there is some level of fragmentation, due to which companies face hurdles while implementing TQM. When companies implement TQM then there is a need of having appropriate knowledge because due to lack of appropriate knowledge, the project can experience a failure. Moreover, corruption, irresponsibility and high level of negligence can result in critical issues faced by companies. In order to implement TQM in an effective way, there is a need of bringing major change in organization that involves change in culture, procedures, strategic priorities and standards of organization.

3.Research Methodology

3.1.Research Philosophy

The research philosophy is linked with various perceptions and beliefs of research in relation to conduction of study. There are different research philosophies that can be used in research, from which two are compared in this study.  These approaches are positivistic and phenomenological philosophy (Cooper and Schindler, 2007). In positivistic philosophy, there is an involvement of facts and figures and experimentation is included.  In contrast to this, in phenomenological philosophy, the main aim of research is identifying the explanation of research process (Kumar, 2005). In present study, as aim of study is to analyze the impact of TQM on performance of construction projects so for this research will adopt positivistic philosophy.

3.2.Research Design

The research design involves processes used to complete the research (Cooper and Schindler, 2007). There are two kinds of research; design deductive and inductive research design (Kumar, 2005). In case of inductive research design, the researcher formulates some new theory or concept and in contrast to this some previous concepts or theory is assessed and examined in deductive research design. As research will analyze the importance of TQM in improving performance of construction companies, so this research will be deductive in nature.

3.3.Research Methods

The researcher can use one from two research methods to conduct the research. These methods can be qualitative or quantitative. The quantitative research method deals with facts and figures, while qualitative research is related to quality and exploration of issue in detail. As current study has involvement of facts, figures and quantity, so, study will adopt quantitative research method. With the help of quantitative research method, the validity and reliability of research findings can be enhanced.

3.4.Data Collection Method

Sapsford (2007) stated that in order to conduct a research, two methods can be used for the purpose of data collection. These methods are primary data collection method and secondary data collection method. In case of primary data collection, data is collected for the first time and it is termed as first hand data. In contrast to this, secondary data collection involves use of data that has already been collected by someone else. In current study, both primary and secondary data collection methods will be used. The primary data will be collected through survey in which questionnaires will be used for data collection from contractors of construction companies in China and secondary data will be collected through analysis of previous literature from books, articles, journals and other internet sources.

3.5.Sample and Sampling Technique

The sample will be selected through random probability sampling. In case of random sampling, every member from population will have a chance of getting selected for being a part of sample. The sample will consist of 50 contractors from 10 construction companies of China.

3.6.Data Analysis

The data collected from respondents will be analyzed through the use of SPSS. This software will be used for descriptive, regression and correlation analysis. These tests will be used for analyzing the relationship between independent and dependent variables.

3.7.Ethical consideration

In current study, researcher will ensure ethical consideration through ensuring the security and safety of data gathered from respondents. Similarly, researcher will not show any kind of biasness in research. In case of primary data collection, respondents will not be forced to fill questionnaires.

References

Bendoly, E., 2014. System dynamics understanding in projects: Information sharing, psychological safety, and performance effects. Production and operations management, 23(8), pp.1352-1369.

Cooper, D. R., & Schindler, P. S. (2007). Business Research Methods, Ninth Edition. New York: McGraw Hill.

Kerzner, H.R., 2013. Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.

Kim, D.Y., Kumar, V. and Kumar, U., 2012. Relationship between quality management practices and innovation. Journal of Operations Management,30(4), pp.295-315.

Kumar, R. (2005). Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners. Second Edition. London: Sage Publications.

Meng, X., 2012. The effect of relationship management on project performance in construction. International journal of project management,30(2), pp.188-198.

Oakland, J.S., 2014. Total quality management and operational excellence: text with cases. Routledge.

Sallis, E., 2014. Total quality management in education. Routledge.

Sapsford, R. (2007). Survey Research. Second Edition. London: Sage Publications Limited.

Zink, K.J., 2012. Total Quality Management as a holistic management concept: the European model for business excellence. Springer Science & Business Media.