INFLUENCE OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON PERFORMANCE OF PROJECTS IN UNILEVER KENYA LTD
INFLUENCE OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON PERFORMANCE OF PROJECTS IN UNILEVER KENYA LTD
Keziah C. Magagan - Department of Management Science, School of Business, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Dr Lucy Ngugi - Department of Management Science, School of Business, Kenyatta University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Project performance is crucial to all stakeholders. Project failure is rated to be very high with about 50% of projects proven to have failed in Africa. Most projects start well, with perfectly good intentions. Project management is accomplished through the application and integration of the project management processes of initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. Project management has evolved over time, becoming the principal mean of dealing with change in modern organizations. Best practices have occurred as a result of business evolution and of practicing project management at a global level. The main objective of the study was to examine influence of the project management practices on project’s performance of Unilever Company in Nairobi County, Kenya. Four specific objectives were used, namely: to determine the effect of risk management practices on project’s performance, to establish the effect of communication practices on project’s performance, to examine the effect of stakeholder management practices on project’s performance and to assess the effect of leadership practices on project’s performance. The research utilized modern portfolio theory, system theory, path-goal theory and stakeholders’ theory. Descriptive research design was adopted in this research Census was used in the study and data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire. The study findings show that project risk management have a positive influence on project performance. Further, Project communication positively influences project performance. Project leadership have a positive influence on project performance. Moreover, Project stakeholder management influence project performance positively. The study recommends that the organization conducts comprehensive risk management using a complete risk management framework. It should also create a ‘we’ feeling in the projects for all stakeholders. Contingent reward may also be applied by the Unilever in the projects. Aspects such as courtesy, competence and responsiveness should be well facilitated.
