Discusses the effectiveness of construction practices on standardisation based on six case studies developed both in Brazil and in the UK, focusing on the “bricklaying” process. The case studies showed a paradox: construction companies developing written standards but failing to implement...

Excellent publications have been available on project management for many years and much discussion has taken place extolling the virtues of this aspect of management and its great influence on the overall successful operation of organizations in all sectors. When being considered in its generic...

The lead user concept developed by Eric von Hippel is perhaps the only formal method designed specifically for identifying innovators. This paper discusses the applicability of von Hippel's lead user concept in the architectural industry where technological innovations are necessary yet gravely...

Purpose – As the key to value creation, construction firms should treat quality as a strategic issue. However, strategic quality management (SQM) is still a relatively new concept for construction firms. This paper aims to examine the application of the strategic treatise, Sun Tzu's Art of War...

Offers an overview of the unique situations arising when installing a wafer fabrication facility into a pre‐existing structure. Discussion includes management techniques used to implement a “clean build”, while at the same time completing a state‐of‐the‐art facility in record time....

Unlike the construction industry, it is a well‐known precept that the manufacturing sector has notably well‐instituted quality systems. This is due to the differing nature of the two sectors. Manufacturing calls for repeat processes with products primarily put out in large batches. On the...

Describes research being carried out into the effects of introducing quality initiatives such as ISO 9000 (formerly BS 5750) and TQM (total quality management) in large contracting firms. Suggests that the context in which they operate is confrontational and adversarial. This makes the...

Argues that the management of quality in the construction industry is often flawed by people‐related problems. Suggests that there is tremendous scope for applying Miyamoto Musashi’s lessons in A Book of Five Rings for overcoming some of these problems and for managing construction quality....

Describes how John Brown Engineering and Constructors has set up project workshops for all involved parties to work together in a partnership environment. Reviews an approach combining the partnering style and the TQM philosophy. Contends that the design of the project workshop is crucial and it...