Impact of Changing Organisational Culture and Leadership Approaches on Total Quality Management Practices in Construction Companies in Kuwait

Abstract

In the present ever accelerating global competitive business environment, change is absolutely necessary for survival, growth and success of any business organisation. The aim of Total Quality Management (TQM) practices is to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, flexibility, and competitiveness of a business as a whole by providing quality products and services to the customer. Organisations deciding to pursue and successfully improve TQM practices that values customers, improvement and teamwork need cultural change through top management leadership approaches. Leadership is the key in promoting commitment to change efforts by providing a path towards quality culture. Leadership approach is the driving force of the entire quality management systems. The purpose of this study is to find out the impact of changing organisational culture and leadership approaches on total quality management practices in construction companies in Kuwait. The primary data are collected from 108 respondents of 12 (twelve) first class classified civil construction companies. The findings of this study have explored that the implementation of changing organisational culture and leadership approaches; and the enhancement of TQM practices have been made effective from their 5 years before situation (i.e., 2006) to present situation (i.e., 2011). Owing to these changes, organisational culture has become more influential on market and hierarchy culture as well as leadership, which has an increased effect on customer focus and visionary approaches. Similarly, owing to the enhancement of TQM practices, customer focus and satisfaction; and business results have extensively improved. It has also been investigated that the enhancement of TQM practices is positively related to the combined effect of the change both in organisational culture and leadership approaches in the companies in Kuwait under this study and the companies that have implemented more changes have improved their TQM practices successfully.