Factors affecting quality in the Jordanian housing sector

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to measure the perceptions of both architects and contractors regarding the factors affecting quality in the Jordanian housing sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Twenty quality factors were identified from the literature and ranked by respondents. Next, the weighted indices for importance and frequency of quality variables were calculated. The quality variables were ranked according to their severity index. Finally, the principal component and factor analysis methodology was employed to arrive at the most prominent factors.

Findings

Major factors affecting quality were human resource management, customer satisfaction, uses of technology and supplier management. Although both samples of architects and contractors chose the factor “uses of technology” as the common factor, the t-test showed statistically significant differences in the means of both samples.

Originality/value

This study’s findings build on prior research conducted in different countries. The major factors identified in this study are compared to other similar studies’ findings, thereby adding to the available literature on factors affecting quality in the housing sector in developing countries.

Citation

J. Sweis, R., O. Shanak, R., Abu El Samen, A. and Suifan, T. (2014), "Factors affecting quality in the Jordanian housing sector", International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis, Vol. 7 No. 2, pp. 175-188. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHMA-01-2013-0004