Eliminating Building Quality Issues: A Theoretical Framework Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Building quality issues are a long-standing problem in the international and New Zealand construction industries. It costs significantly in economics and productivity and affects client satisfaction. Great efforts have been made to solve common quality issues but with unsatisfactory outcomes. To address this, we use a theory-building research method to propose an innovative framework derived from a well-established behaviour change model named the theory of planned behaviour. The theoretical framework targets the fundamental issues of quality defects in individual and social practices of residential projects through examinations and modifications of cognitive, organisational and social factors related to building quality. This paper reports the findings of the conceptual development by providing the initial understanding and explanation of proactive quality management in the construction context. The causes of quality defects identified by the literature review suggest the nature and dynamic of the root issues, which direct the attention in studying quality management to the social context. The theory of planned behaviour is thus employed to link the root causes and provide an initial explanation of their interdependence. Five research hypotheses and three research gaps are deduced through the process, which will be investigated by further research.