1.1 Introduction
Total Quality Management (TQM) is described as an integrated management approach that aligns cost-control strategies with quality improvement principles to enhance overall organizational performance (Ibrahim & Musa, 2020). It emphasizes the continuous monitoring of cost-related activities while ensuring that products, services, and processes meet established quality standards. TQM is built on the belief that effective cost management is inseparable from quality performance, as minimizing waste, preventing defects, and optimizing resources ultimately lead to improved value delivery (Adebayo, 2021). Within the construction industry, TQM is applied to ensure that project planning, procurement, execution, and evaluation are systematically coordinated to achieve maximum efficiency and client satisfaction.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the aim and objectives of the study. Others are significance of the study, scope of work, research hypothesis and questions, limitation of the study and definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Total Quality Management (TQM) is a philosophy that involves everyone in an organization in continual efforts to improve quality and achieve customers' satisfaction. Continuous improvement is the philosophy that seeks to make never ending improvements to the process of converting inputs into outputs. The management of project adhesive known as project management according to (CIOB 2002) project management as the overall planning coordination and control of a project from inception to completion, aimed at meeting a clients requirement in order to produce a functionally and financially viable project that will be completed on time within authorized cost and to the required quality standards.
Total Quality Management (TQM) has evolved into a critical framework for improving organizational performance by integrating cost-efficiency strategies with quality enhancement principles. According to Ibrahim and Musa (2020), TQM provides a structured approach for coordinating project processes to minimize waste, optimize resources, and ensure continuous quality improvement. The authors asserted that TQM is built on the premise that quality and cost performance are interdependent, and that achieving excellence in one requires strategic attention to the other. Adebayo (2021) further reported that TQM supports project delivery by promoting standardized procedures, proactive planning, and systematic monitoring of cost-related activities.
In global construction practice, TQM has become a vital tool for enhancing productivity and ensuring that project outcomes meet client expectations. However, in developing economies such as Nigeria, its adoption remains limited and inconsistent. Okafor and Lawson (2021) contended that the Nigerian construction industry continues to struggle with recurring issues such as cost overruns, delays, structural defects, and inadequate quality control mechanisms.
According to David (2006) a project is define as a temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique project or services. Temporary means that every project has a definite beginning and a definite end. Unique means that the product or services is different in some distinguishing way from all similar product Or services. Dannis 2007 define project as capital investment to develop facilities to provide goods and services. From the above definitions of project, all projects require management and management has been given a number of definitions among which are: Martin defines management as “the planning, organizing, directing and controlling of activities of business enterprise”. Martin (2002) defined management as the coordination of all resources of an organization through the process of planning, organizing, budgeting and controlling in order to achieve organization objectives.
Eze and Alabi (2022) affirmed that the fragmented nature of cost and quality management in many Nigerian construction firms contributes significantly to inefficiencies, poor resource utilization, and reduced stakeholder confidence (Eze and Alabi, 2022). The Nigerian construction sector plays a vital role in national development, providing employment opportunities and driving infrastructural growth. Yet, the industry's performance is frequently undermined by unstable economic conditions, fluctuating material prices, poor enforcement of standards, and limited technological innovation. According to Agwu and Omole (2022), these conditions hinder firms from fully adopting comprehensive management systems that support cost and quality optimization. The authors stated that many firms implement only selective aspects of cost-control and quality-assurance practices, resulting in gaps between planned objectives and actual project delivery. This study is set against the backdrop of evaluating the effectiveness of Total Quality Management (TQM) in the Nigerian construction industry.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the Nigerian Construction Industry is experiencing increasing pressure to deliver projects that meet acceptable quality standards while maintaining cost efficiency. However, ineffective cost-control practices, inadequate quality assurance mechanisms, and inconsistent adherence to standardized processes continue to undermine project outcomes (Adenuga, 2020). On the other hand, stakeholders express concerns that the lack of proper documentation, inadequate training, and limited technological adoption is preventing firms from achieving the full benefits associated with Total Quality Management (TQM).
Furthermore, the complexity of construction projects in Nigeria is influenced by multiple factors, including unstable market prices, poor procurement practices, weak regulatory enforcement, and limited use of modern management systems. These issues make the integration of TQM principles difficult, thereby affecting how organizations monitor costs, maintain quality benchmarks, and sustain long-term performance. Although some construction firms claim to implement cost and quality management systems, the extent to which these practices are systematically embedded into project workflows remains questionable (Oladapo & Nwankwo, 2021). It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to investigate the effectiveness of Total Quality Management (TQM) in the Nigerian construction industry.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to assess the role and effectiveness of TQM in Nigerian construction firms to enhance cost efficiency and project quality. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- Examine the implementation of TQM practices in construction firms in Nigeria.
- Assess the impact of TQM on cost management and project budgeting.
- Evaluate the influence of TQM on quality assurance and project outcomes.
- Identify challenges affecting the adoption and effectiveness of TQM.
- Recommend strategies for improving TQM implementation within the industry.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- How are TQM practices implemented in Nigerian construction firms?
- What is the impact of TQM on cost control and project budgeting?
- How does TQM influence the quality of construction projects?
- What challenges hinder the effective adoption of TQM in the Nigerian construction industry?
- What strategies will improve the implementation and effectiveness of TQM practices?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
- H01: There is no significance difference between the mean responses of Project Manager, Quantity Surveyors and Engineers on the current practices for Total Quality Management in building construction industries in Lagos State
- H02: There is no significance difference between the mean responses of Project Manager, Quantity Surveyors and Engineers on the challenges that hinder the implementation of Total Quality Management in the construction industries in Lagos State
- H03: TQM implementation has no significant impact on project cost efficiency and quality performance in Nigerian construction firms
1.7 Significance of Study
The study will be of great benefit to the professional bodies such as NSE, NIA, N.I.O.B in ensuring that a project is completed on time by trained personnel, within cost and to a specified quality standards by utilizing the most optimal construction methodology and thus eliminate (or at least reduce) the occurrence of bad workmanship, rework, and collapse of buildings.
The relevant building authority will benefit immensely from this research as the findings of this study will help them to technically coordinate and organize their skills in inspecting and monitoring all construction activities with an aim to ensure compliance to building codes and standards.
The findings of this research will be of immense benefit to the relevant building authority, professional bodies such as Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Nigerian Institute of Builders (N.I.O.B) and others. It will also be of immense benefit to the society at large.
Finally, the findings will benefit the Student and the Society at large, in the sense that, the Student will be able to make similar research work by making reference to this research work if published and well kept for consultation. And the society will also benefit from this research by getting pleasures from uncompromised built structures by a group of trained professionals.
1.8 Scope of Study
This study focuses on the application of TQM within construction firms operating in Lagos State, Nigeria, with specific reference to companies such as Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. The research covers the assessment of TQM practices, their impact on project costs and quality outcomes, and the challenges affecting their implementation within the selected firms.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- 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).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Total Quality Management (TQM):
TQM is an integrated approach to managing both cost and quality in an organization. It involves monitoring all cost-related activities while ensuring that products, services, and processes meet specified quality standards (Ibrahim & Musa, 2020).
Construction Industry:
Construction Industry refers to organizations and activities involved in building infrastructure, residential, and commercial projects. The Nigerian construction industry faces unique challenges related to cost, quality, and regulatory compliance (Adebayo, 2021).
Cost Management:
It is the process of planning, estimating, budgeting, and controlling costs to ensure that projects are completed within approved budgets (Eze & Alabi, 2022).
Quality Management:
It encompasses all activities designed to ensure that project outputs meet specified standards, including planning, assurance, and control processes (Okafor & Lawson, 2021).
Project Performance:
The extent to which a construction project meets predefined objectives regarding cost, quality, schedule, and client satisfaction (Agwu & Omole, 2022).
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