چكيده به لاتين
Abstract
The quality management system standards (QMS) developed by International Organization for Standardization have widespread applications in all industries specifically construction industry. Due to the tremendous growth and development of construction industry, an increasing attention has been paid to the issue of quality and quality management systems application in all branches of this industry. Considering the increasing significance and function of quality as a key component of changing project management techniques, there has not been sufficient research on the qualitative impact assessments of these systems.
The present research investigates the effect of quality management systems on quality improvement of civil engineering projects. In this study, 150 employers and consultants (supervisors) were selected and a questionnaire was distributed among them. Then, the collected data and documents were analyzed using a descriptive method. The research findings indicated the employers and consultants have similar perspectives so that they both thought that the contractors who have quality certification can be bound to undertake higher quality projects. Further, these respondents considered project quality checklist as the most important factor influencing projects quality improvement in accordance with each project’s circumstances. The presence of contractors with quality certification, having access to quality requirements for managing quality and having quality management certification are among the other influential factors affecting quality improvement.
On the other hand, from the respondents’ perspectives, the most important factors affecting quality in terms of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) are the quality control of projects and ensuring contractors’ quality control with quality management certification and quality control criteria. The role of primary materials and suppliers are considered as the second most significant factor influencing projects quality. Other factors such as reform and preventive measures, the data collection and record-keeping of information as well as the human force are the third most important factors affecting the quality of civil engineering projects.
Keywords: Comprehensive Quality Management System, Construction Engineering and Management, ISO 9000, Civil Engineering Projects
