ISO 9001 within the Swedish construction sector

This study analysed how the ISO 9000 framework could be employed in the construction process. Interviews were conducted at twelve companies in Sweden that utilized the quality system standard ISO 9001. Many of the concepts contained in the quality system standard were experienced as being too abstract and too difficult to comprehend. Frequently quality mangement was considered as serving the function of improving the company's competitiveness and allowing the company to be more efficient. It appeared difficult, however, in view of the many stages the construction process encompasses and the diverging interests represented, to meet the needs of the construction sector by the use of ISO 9001 alone. Some of the paragraphs it contains also tended to be confused with one another and to be misinterpreted. Others, although useful elsewhere, appeared scarcely to find application in the construction sector. Developments in the area appear to be going in the direction away from using large bureaucratic inspection systems and quality handbooks aimed at impressing customers and towards employing more diversified systems. Certification was found to be a matter of concern to all of the companies investigated.