| Author: | Cheng, Lan-fong Miranda |
| Title: | Training for quality with special reference to the construction industry in Hong Kong |
| Degree: | M.B.A. |
| Year: | 1993 |
| Subject: | Construction industry -- Employees -- Training of -- China -- Hong Kong Construction workers -- China -- Hong Kong Construction industry -- China -- Hong Kong -- Quality control Hong Kong Polytechnic -- Dissertations |
| Department: | Department of Management |
| Pages: | v, 86 leaves ; 30 cm |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | The objectives of this research are to find out, given the situation of the public housing in Hong Kong that higher quality will be demanded by the Hong Kong Housing Authority, how training can contribute to the achievement of improving quality. Inevitably, we have to identify the needs of training, then we could determine who to train, what to train and how to train. A postal survey was done on fifty five Housing Authority apporved contractors who are building public housing. In addition, two personal interviews were conducted with experts having long experience in the industry and their comments on the postal survey findings are invaluable. The research resulted in the finding that training should be conducted from both ends, that is, both the top-down and bottom-up approach can be exercised simultaneously. On the one hand we train skilled workers through the Construction Industry Training Authority (CITA) and the government enforce compulsory certification through trade tests to ensure that we have skilled workers. On the other hand, we use the top-down approach to train people to be aware of quality issues and implement ISO 9000 Quality Assurance systems. Before my survey and data collection, I have read the Mortiboys research findings which were condusted on the same respondents two years ago and I opined that the issue of training was undermined because the recommendation of training were mainly on ISO 9000 programmes. However, after my survey, it became apparent that the supervisory and management staff do in fact possess sufficient knowledge and skill to control quality, hence, the recommendation made by Mortiboys in view that many contractors are implementating ISO 9000 Quality Assurance system is appropriate. I have made further recommends that the Juran Trilogy : Quality planning, control and improvement should be incorporated as part of the training content also. As regards how to train supervisory and management staff, the suggestions are many, such as in-house monthly gatherings to discuss quality problems or as Juran recommended for Upper managers that they should attend public courses away from the workplace. The responsibility for training of craftsman has rested heavily on the Construction Industry Training Authority. Though the CITA has been responsive to the needs of the industry in arranging training topics of interests, it is recommended that they should organize courses such as 'Train the trainers'. The research revealed that when the workers were trained on-the-job at construction sites, they were not properly guided by the trainers perhaps due to the heavy work load placed on the trainer as well as the trainees. Therefore, the CITA should arrange site visits, obtain feedback from both the trainees and their employers so as to ensure that the training content meets actual site requirements and training objectives are met. The Government has played a significant role in quality improvement such as the compulsory requirement of trade tests to construction workers and enforcement of contractors to implement ISO 9000 Quality Assurance systems. However, it is suggested that the Departments concerned should maintain closer contacts with the contractors, understand their difficulties and assist them in quality improvement. The scheme of importation of workers has no doubt relieved the industry problem of a labour shortage. It is also recommended that the Hone Kong Construction Association should play a high profile and lead its members towards quality improvement. This can be done through arranging seminars and workshops, annual conferences with the them of quality improvement, introducing quality campaign and the giving of awards to individual contractor or particular construction site that demonstrate good quality work, etc., With the government's concern and committment to improve the quality of public housing in Hong Kong, there are higher expectations to see block of comfortable and durable houses in the years to come. This expectation can be satisfied through appropriate training programmes. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b11509867.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 2.74 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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