Review of quality management system research in construction industry

Abstract

This paper explores the role of quality management system (QMS), such as ISO 9000, and total quality management, and their approaches in construction industry. The aim is to determine if these systems have the potential to generate new knowledge for improving quality management practices and outcomes in construction projects. This paper reviews all the prior literatures relevant to QMS in construction industry. The findings and conclusions obtained are sorted out into different categories to develop the framework of the paper. To date, very few researches have been performed on the areas, such as project management, 'hard' and 'soft' quality practice, technical and non-technical approaches, project performance, and system maintenance which come under the purview of the QMS in construction industry. The findings can help researchers doing QMS studies in construction industry to bestow new knowledge in the academia. It also provides useful implications for industry practitioners to determine their strengths and weaknesses and the area of improvement in their current system or practices.