ADR, TQM, Partnering, and Other Management Fantasies
Publication: Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 118, Issue 4
Abstract
This paper addresses the current management problems associated with the architect‐engineering‐construction industry. It makes the assertion that the current fads of total quality management (TQM), alternate dispute resolution (ADR), partnering, and some of the older concepts of management by objective, exception, etc., skirt the problems facing the industry. The concepts of TQM, ADR, and partnering all make oblique approaches to apply W. Edward Deming's management fundamentals and leadership to the construction team and provide the solution necessary for competitive productivity in the construction industry. They are a move toward Deming's management approach that provided the road map for Japan to win the battle of competitive productivity. His 14 points with strong leadership in modifying the way the construction industry does business in the United States are proposed as an approach for the right solution. Arguments are presented why direct adoption of Deming's approach cannot work in the present culture of the construction industry.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Avoiding and resolving disputes during construction. (1991). Tech. Committee on Contracting Practices, Underground Tech. Res. Council, ASCE, New York, N. Y.
2.
Corruption and racketeering in the New York City construction industry. (1989). New York State Organized Crime Task Force, Albany, N.Y.
3.
Davis, K., Ledbetter, W. B., and Burati, J. L. (1989). “Measuring design and construction quality costs.” J. Constr. Engrg. Mgmt., ASCE, 115(3), 285.
4.
Deming, W. E. (1982). Out of the crisis. Center for Advanced Engrg. Study, Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge, Mass.
5.
Griffis, F. H., and Butler, F. M. (1988). “A case for cost‐plus contracting.” J. Constr. Engrg. Mgmt., ASCE, 114(1), 83.
6.
Hayden, W. M. (1992). “Management's fatal flaw: TQM obstacle.” J. Mgmt. in Engrg., ASCE, 8(2), 122.
7.
In search of partnering excellence. (1991). Special Publication 17‐1, Construction Industry Inst., Univ. of Texas, Austin, Tex. Jul.
8.
Inspection and other strategies for assuring quality in government construction. (1991). Building Research Board, National Research Council, Washington, D.C.
9.
“Productivity Comparisons Between the U.S., the Federal Republic of Germany, and Japan.” (1992). The New York Times, Jan. 26.
10.
Richter, I., and Mitchell, R. (1979). Handbook of construction claims. Reston Publishing Company, Reston, Va.
11.
Tribus, M. (1989). Demings Way. Center for Advanced Engrg. Study, Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge, Mass.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
Copyright © 1992 ASCE.
History
Published online: Oct 1, 1992
Published in print: Oct 1992
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.