Title: Defining the variables for a dynamic model of quality management in the construction industry: results from stakeholder group model-building sessions

Authors: Anna Hulda Olafsdottir; Helgi Thor Ingason; Gunnar Stefansson

Addresses: Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, Hjardarhaga 2-4 IS-107 Reykjavik, Iceland ' School of Science and Engineering, Reykjavik University, Menntavegi 1, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland ' Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, Hjardarhaga 2-4 IS-107 Reykjavik, Iceland; School of Technology Management and Economics, Chalmers University of Technology, Vera Sandbergs Alle 8, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden

Abstract: The objective of the research is to develop a framework that can be used to gain understanding on the system and might be used to build a system dynamic model. The results are based on the outcome from stakeholder group model-building sessions, involving stakeholders representing different groups. The sessions were held in connection with a PhD project aimed at developing a system dynamic model to evaluate the benefits from a quality management system in the construction industry. The main findings are the definition framework of the variables that could be used as a foundation for a system dynamic model and a suggestion of how the concept of an active quality management system in the construction industry can be defined in a causal loop form. These findings are great value for the construction engineering and management community and an important step towards a formulation of a system dynamic model.

Keywords: quality management systems; QMS; construction industry; group model building; stakeholders; project management; qualitative research; variables; dynamic modelling; system dynamics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2016.078886

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2016 Vol.19 No.2, pp.187 - 208

Received: 17 Dec 2014
Accepted: 12 Feb 2015
Published online: 04 Sep 2016 *

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