Towards an integrated model of Total Quality Management (TQEM) to enhance the efficiency of educational institutions

Abstract

This study explores the synergistic relationship between Total Quality Management (TQM), Environmental Management Systems (EMS), and Sustainable Design (SD) as fundamental pillars for enhancing the efficiency of educational facilities and achieving sustainable development in the construction sector. The research problem centers on the administrative and structural gap that separates academic quality standards from technical sustainability requirements, leading to resource depletion and a decline in the quality of the internal educational environment.

Adopting a descriptive and analytical approach, the research develops an integrated framework for Total Quality Environmental Management (TQEM) covering the entire building life cycle. The findings demonstrate that integrating these three dimensions not only improves operational performance but also achieves economic savings in maintenance and operation costs of up to 30%. Furthermore, it leads to a significant 15% improvement in student concentration levels due to enhanced indoor air quality and natural lighting. The study recommends the adoption of an Integrated Design Process (IDP) that merges engineering and administrative disciplines from the earliest project stages to ensure the transformation of academic buildings into smart, human-centric, and sustainable environments.