Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio State University, 1980. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 63-64). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2003. / Advisor: Dr. William R. Snyder, Florida State University, College of Education, Dept. of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Feb. 26, 2004). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

The author's Habilitationsschrift--Universität Regensburg, 1984, presented under the title: Vorindustrielle Bauwirtschaft vom 16. bis zum 18. Jahrhundert in der Reichsstadt Nürnberg und ihrem Umland. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 280-295) and index.

Thesis (M.Eng.) -- Memorial University of Newfoundland. / Typescript. Bibliography : leaves 87-89. Also available online.

More than two decades have passed since the introduction of Quality Assurance Systems in the form of BS 5750/ISO 9000 yet the effectiveness of these systems are still a matter of controversy and debate. Although the implementation of Quality Assurance Systems in the construction industry has been slow to emerge, most large construction organisations are currently implementing such systems. Much has been written about the advantages and disadvantages of Quality Assurance Systems but unfortunately without any direct reference to any hard data. Most of the reported advantages and disadvantages are based purely on perceptions and views of individuals involved. The British Standards Institution (BSI) acts as a collaborating establishment for this research. This is the first research that attempts to assess the effectiveness of Quality Assurance Systems, in the construction industry. Based on data collected from literature, construction companies and experts in the field of Quality Management, the research provides a better understanding of the objectivity of available data regarding the effectiveness of QA Systems and examines the possibility of fording reliable measures. This thesis shows that no construction company has managed to assess the effectiveness of its Quality Assurance Systems in an objective manner. Regarding measures of the effectiveness of QA Systems, most experts believed that such measures are very important because an organisation must justify the existence of such systems, which are considered as overheads. However, all experts declared 1 that they are not aware of any construction company that has managed to assess the effectiveness of its ISO 9000 in any reliable manner. This research is of a particular value to construction companies who are considering implementing an ISO 9000 as well as those companies that are already implementing such systems.

The research is based on the European Directive aimed at harmonising standards for construction products. Harmonised standards remove technical barriers to trade allowing manufacturers to sell their products anywhere in the European Economic Area (EEA) provided the product complies with the standard and has affixed the CE marking. This should lead to greater competition in all EEA markets. A review of relevant literature covered three distinct areas; developments of the European Union and the Construction Products Directive (CPD), the UK construction industry and materials sector and strategic management concentrating on market barriers and entry strategies. The research combined these areas together by investigating the impact of the CPD on the UK construction product manufacturers specifically considering the strategic decisions of the UK brick industry. As there was little previous empirical research into this area, data was generated through exploratory interviews with manufacturers and bodies involved with the UK implementation of the Directive, through a self-completion postal questionnaire survey with manufacturers from six product groups and by a case study approach used to examine the UK brick industry. The research demonstrated that the Directive is having little impact to date on the strategic decisions of UK construction product manufacturers. Also, there are a disturbing number of producers that were not aware of the Directive and its possible implications. By applying previous research findings to the UK brick industry, conclusions were drawn highlighting the specific nature of this industry and identifying specific characteristics that influence its competitiveness. The Directive and the UK brick industry have never previously been examined in such a manner and areas for further research have been suggested.

Thesis (MTech (Built Environment))--Peninsula Technikon, 2001. / Word processed copy. Summary in English. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 139-151). Also available online.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Victoria University of Wellington, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references.