{"id":{"repo_id":"auckland-tech","oai_identifier":"oai:openrepository.aut.ac.nz:10292/20533"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/auckland-tech/oai:openrepository.aut.ac.nz:10292/20533","repository":{"repo_id":"auckland-tech","name":"AUT University","base_url":"https://openrepository.aut.ac.nz/server/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"An Investigation Into Sub-Sector Productivity: The New Zealand Residential Construction Industry","abstract":"Despite sustained investment, the New Zealand (NZ) residential construction sector exhibits a persistent productivity paradox, constrained by systemic challenges and an estimated annual cost of NZD 2.5 billion attributed to defects and rework. The extant literature exhibits a conceptual divergence, treating quality management (QM) and construction productivity as fragmented. Although seemingly aligned, theoretical foundations and practical approaches are distinct, thereby hindering the development of a holistic solution. This thesis addresses this oversight by rigorously investigating what effect QM has on enhancing productivity in the New Zealand residential construction sub-sector. Employing a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, the study utilised an initial survey (N = 106) to empirically rank productivity factors, followed by a diagnostic application of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) model. Quantitative findings were subsequently validated through qualitative semi-structured expert interviews (N=15). The TOC analysis demonstrated that poor QM is the singular non-physical bottleneck limiting productivity and restricting the system’s capacity, driven by an endemic culture that “hyper normalises substandard practices.” The analysis establishes QM not as a contributory factor but as the root cause constraint. The study’s primary contribution is the development of a synthesised evidence-based QM strategy, (HEM) that resolves the conceptual divergence and provides a framework for sustainable performance. The research culminates in a proposal for a National Construction, Productivity and Quality Commission (NCPQC), offering policymakers a blueprint for institutionalising systemic national-level reform. The findings move productivity improvement from an aspiration to a viable societal goal, contributing significantly to New Zealand’s economic resilience and societal well-being.","abstract_html":"Despite sustained investment, the New Zealand (NZ) residential construction sector exhibits a persistent productivity paradox, constrained by systemic challenges and an estimated annual cost of NZD 2.5 billion attributed to defects and rework. The extant literature exhibits a conceptual divergence, treating quality management (QM) and construction productivity as fragmented. Although seemingly aligned, theoretical foundations and practical approaches are distinct, thereby hindering the development of a holistic solution. This thesis addresses this oversight by rigorously investigating what effect QM has on enhancing productivity in the New Zealand residential construction sub-sector. Employing a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, the study utilised an initial survey (N = 106) to empirically rank productivity factors, followed by a diagnostic application of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) model. Quantitative findings were subsequently validated through qualitative semi-structured expert interviews (N=15). The TOC analysis demonstrated that poor QM is the singular non-physical bottleneck limiting productivity and restricting the system’s capacity, driven by an endemic culture that “hyper normalises substandard practices.” The analysis establishes QM not as a contributory factor but as the root cause constraint. The study’s primary contribution is the development of a synthesised evidence-based QM strategy, (HEM) that resolves the conceptual divergence and provides a framework for sustainable performance. The research culminates in a proposal for a National Construction, Productivity and Quality Commission (NCPQC), offering policymakers a blueprint for institutionalising systemic national-level reform. The findings move productivity improvement from an aspiration to a viable societal goal, contributing significantly to New Zealand’s economic resilience and societal well-being.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Kirby, Mark"],"institution":null,"degree_name":null,"degree_level":null,"degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2025,"date_issued":"2025","date_published":"2025","updated_at":"2026-07-27T18:46:16Z","subjects":[],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["hdl:10292/20533"],"render_values":[{"text":"hdl:10292/20533","href":null,"code":true}]}]},"links":{"outbound_url":null,"outbound_label":null,"outbound_source":null},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2025"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Thesis"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["hdl:10292/20533"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.other","label":"Dc Description Other","values":["Despite sustained investment, the New Zealand (NZ) residential construction sector exhibits a persistent productivity paradox, constrained by systemic challenges and an estimated annual cost of NZD 2.5 billion attributed to defects and rework. The extant literature exhibits a conceptual divergence, treating quality management (QM) and construction productivity as fragmented. Although seemingly aligned, theoretical foundations and practical approaches are distinct, thereby hindering the development of a holistic solution. This thesis addresses this oversight by rigorously investigating what effect QM has on enhancing productivity in the New Zealand residential construction sub-sector. Employing a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, the study utilised an initial survey (N = 106) to empirically rank productivity factors, followed by a diagnostic application of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) model. Quantitative findings were subsequently validated through qualitative semi-structured expert interviews (N=15). The TOC analysis demonstrated that poor QM is the singular non-physical bottleneck limiting productivity and restricting the system’s capacity, driven by an endemic culture that “hyper normalises substandard practices.” The analysis establishes QM not as a contributory factor but as the root cause constraint. The study’s primary contribution is the development of a synthesised evidence-based QM strategy, (HEM) that resolves the conceptual divergence and provides a framework for sustainable performance. The research culminates in a proposal for a National Construction, Productivity and Quality Commission (NCPQC), offering policymakers a blueprint for institutionalising systemic national-level reform. The findings move productivity improvement from an aspiration to a viable societal goal, contributing significantly to New Zealand’s economic resilience and societal well-being."]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["An Investigation Into Sub-Sector Productivity: The New Zealand Residential Construction Industry"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:date.issued":["2025"],"dc:description.other":["Despite sustained investment, the New Zealand (NZ) residential construction sector exhibits a persistent productivity paradox, constrained by systemic challenges and an estimated annual cost of NZD 2.5 billion attributed to defects and rework. The extant literature exhibits a conceptual divergence, treating quality management (QM) and construction productivity as fragmented. Although seemingly aligned, theoretical foundations and practical approaches are distinct, thereby hindering the development of a holistic solution. This thesis addresses this oversight by rigorously investigating what effect QM has on enhancing productivity in the New Zealand residential construction sub-sector. Employing a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, the study utilised an initial survey (N = 106) to empirically rank productivity factors, followed by a diagnostic application of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) model. Quantitative findings were subsequently validated through qualitative semi-structured expert interviews (N=15). The TOC analysis demonstrated that poor QM is the singular non-physical bottleneck limiting productivity and restricting the system’s capacity, driven by an endemic culture that “hyper normalises substandard practices.” The analysis establishes QM not as a contributory factor but as the root cause constraint. The study’s primary contribution is the development of a synthesised evidence-based QM strategy, (HEM) that resolves the conceptual divergence and provides a framework for sustainable performance. The research culminates in a proposal for a National Construction, Productivity and Quality Commission (NCPQC), offering policymakers a blueprint for institutionalising systemic national-level reform. The findings move productivity improvement from an aspiration to a viable societal goal, contributing significantly to New Zealand’s economic resilience and societal well-being."],"dc:identifier":["hdl:10292/20533"],"dc:title":["An Investigation Into Sub-Sector Productivity: The New Zealand Residential Construction Industry"],"dc:type":["Thesis"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-27T18:46:16Z"}