Description : Quality has been a key issue in Singapore’s construction industry since the late 1980s. ISO 9000 certi4cation is now compulsory for large construction enterprises and is an important feature of the industry. Following the global trend, environmental issues are gaining prominence in the country. A few companies have been certi4ed to the ISO 14000 standard. It is predicted that this standard will have an impact which is similar to that of ISO 9000. Organisations are being urged to implement integrated management systems (IMS).
A study was undertaken to assess the perceptions and expectations of contractors concerning ISO 9000 certi4cation and the costs and bene4ts in practice. Contractors’ expectations of ISO 14000 certi4cation were also ascertained, together with their environmental awareness, policies and current practices, and their views on measures which could promote its widespread adoption. The study was based on a postal survey. It was found that contractors had derived bene4ts from ISO 9000 but were driven by short-term cost-bene4t considerations. Their attitude to ISO 14000 certi4cation was generally similar. Suggestions for increasing the likelihood of a high uptake of ISO 14000, and IMS are made.
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