Quality management practices of construction contractors in Uganda : a case study of Kampala city

Abstract

Quality management practices are important in the improvement of quality in construction. They are required for sustainability in a competitive construction market. The construction industry in developing countries has been struggling with quality issues for many years. This study centered on quality management in the building construction industry in the urban institutional framework of Kampala. Particularly, this research established the significance of quality management practices in construction projects, the challenges encountered by contractors and how to improve quality in the construction industry in Uganda. A descriptive research was adopted including case study and questionnaires. Ten construction companies were surveyed for the study and the data produced were analyzed using frequency distribution, mean rank and percentages. The study results have shown that quality management systems are being practiced among construction companies but the application is moderate. Several researchers also pointed out that most of the hindrances to the application of quality management practices are the inadequate information. In addition, results showed that absence of effective supervision, ineffective communication, deficient organisational commitment, inadequate modern tools for use and lack of leadership team have been barriers to quality management. It is recommended that construction companies should create a generic and supportive organizational atmosphere which encourages quality management practices. Managers should be encouraged to use quality management techniques from conceptualization to completion of projects. Perpetually, companies should employee quality managers on construction projects, training of the employees. Organisations should adopt ICT and modern technological approaches to quality management.