Assessing quality management practices among building contractors in the Wa municipality

Abstract

The concept of quality Management is not of recent origin. Quality management as a concept is meant to complement efforts to achieve the required level of quality for a product which is well planned and organized. From the perspective of a construction company, quality management in construction projects maintains the quality of construction works at the required standard. The aim is to assess quality management practices in the construction industries in Ghana. The current study explored quality management practices among contractors in the Wa Municipality with the view of highlighting the contributions to the quality of projects and how the practices can improve for better execution of projects in the Municipality. This study is empirical in nature and as a result analyses, describes and explains the issues relating to Total Quality Management Practices among contractors. It adopted a cross-sectional survey design collecting data from both primary and secondary sources. The results showed that male contractors dominate the construction industry in the Wa municipality. The results further showed that 73% of construction companies do not have quality management initiatives in place. Factors that affect quality management practices and quality of projects in the Wa Municipality include; lack of understanding of quality management practices, lack of resources, lack of systems and structures for quality management and lack of focus on client. But to improve the quality management and quality of projects, the recommends that top management need to acquire and update their knowledge on quality management and qualified human resource with knowledge in QM must be employed for quality improvement. The study therefore concludes that agencies or consultants responsible for ensuring quality must work to enhance quality management among contractors. The study recommends that agencies and consultants provide clear guidelines on quality management to contractors.