Effect of total quality management on the safety performance of construction firms in Nigeria: Construction professionals’ perception in Federal Capital Development Authority, Abuja

Abstract

Past studies revealed that the lack of Total Quality Management (TQM) implementation in construction projects in Nigeria leads to poor safety performance on construction sites. This study assessed the effect of TQM on the safety performance of construction firms in Nigeria. A quantitative research approach was employed through the use of a questionnaire survey. One hundred twenty-seven copies of the questionnaire were administered to construction professionals in Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Abuja, with a response rate of 48%. Relative Importance Index (RII), Mean Item Score (MIS) and Spearman Rank correlation analysis were employed for data analyses. It was revealed that: TQM practices have a significant effect on the safety performance of construction firms (p < 0.01), and strategies for improving TQM practices of construction firms are effective (Group MIS = 4.19). However, it was concluded that the effect of TQM on the safety performance of construction firms in Abuja is significant. It was recommended that management of construction firms adopt TQM practices right from the conception stage to implement TQM practices throughout the project life cycle. The study's findings are beneficial to construction firms and built environment practice by revealing effective strategies that can bring about 84% improvement in construction firms’ safety performance.