FACTORS INFLUENCING PROJECT PERFORMANCE: A CASE OF COUNTY ROAD INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS IN MANYATTA CONSTITUENCY, EMBU COUNTY, KENYA
Irina Simeon Mwakajo - Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Prof. Harriet J. Kidombo - University of Nairobi, Kenya
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to establish the factors influencing projects performance in road infrastructural projects in Manyatta constituency, Embu County, Kenya; The study was guided by the following specific objectives: To determine how project financing influence project performance in road infrastructural projects in Manyatta constituency, Embu County, Kenya; To establish how stakeholder participation influence project performance in road infrastructural projects in Manyatta constituency, Embu County, Kenya; To determine the influence of project leadership on projects performance in road infrastructural projects in Manyatta constituency, Embu County, Kenya; To establish how political environment influence project performance in road infrastructural projects in Manyatta constituency, Embu County, Kenya. This research used a descriptive survey design and targets a population 153 which include Active road contractors, contracted staff, directors, Engineers, Technical staff and clerical and support staff. The researcher only sampled Active road contractors using simple random sampling method. The sample size was determined by using Yamane formula. The study used 126 respondents as a total sample size including active road contractors. Data was collected using semi structured questionnaire. Frequency and percentages was used for the descriptive data. Coded broad sheets thereafter were used for extracting data from the returned questionnaires. The researcher analyzed the data by SPSS having carefully completed the variable view and imputed the extracted data appropriately on the data view. The findings show that a number of factors influence project performance; key among them being the availability of finances to enable resource acquisition, the stakeholder involvement, the project leadership and finally the prevailing political and legal environment. The study concluded that commitment by the stakeholders is a huge driver of project success. The project leadership must have a clear understanding of which aspects of the projects might be critical for their successful completion. The study findings led the researcher to conclude that truly successful projects are those that deliver what they were supposed to, achieve results and meet stakeholder expectations. Project success is a multi-dimensional construct that inevitably means different things to different people.
