Quality assurance of construction works in Hong Kong

This Ph.D. thesis presents research on the quality assurance system used in the construction industry in Hong Kong and problems encountered in implementing the ISO 9000 standards. The ISO 9000 standards were essentially written with the manufacturing industry in mind. Their application to construction processes has faced many challenges over the past years. The investigation was initially directed at problems regarding the suitability of ISO 9000 standards for construction works. A technical review of each quality element of the ISO 9001 standard indicated that most of these quality clauses are directly relevant to construction processes.; Research done in the early stages of the development and implementation of the quality assurance system in the construction industry of Singapore carries a valuable lesson for Hong Kong. It has been observed that Hong Kong has already stepped up measures to improve the quality standard of public housing but there is no measurement scheme for private building and civil engineering works as in Singapore. The Performance Assessment Scoring System and Preferential Tendering Eligibility System being used by the Hong Kong Housing Authority may not effectively bar the poorer contractors from obtaining the contracts and modifications to these systems are recommended.; Further, two intensive questionnaire surveys on ISO 9000-certified consultants and contractors were carried out to investigate the quality management issues including the initial motivation for seeking certification, perception of the benefits received and problems in managing for quality. The responses on the adaptability of the ISO 9000 standards to the construction industry appear positive. Certain improvements have been made as a result of implementing a quality assurance system, but the actual achievements, in most areas, are far below the original expectations. The situation has been reviewed for analysis and rectification.; Although many consultants and contractors have successfully achieved ISO 9000 certification, it is considered that their quality management systems should have room for continuous improvement. Three quality manuals from consultants and another three from contractors were selected for study. Based on case studies and with hands-on experience on the preparation of a quality management system, two model quality manuals have been developed to allow for application in the construction industry.