Project Contractors’ Capacity and Performance of Road Construction Projects in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t2424Abstract
Delays in the performance of road construction projects are pervasive and detrimental, frequently leading to time and cost overruns, compromised project quality, the escalation of disputes and litigation, and, in some instances, the complete abandonment of projects. The main aim of the study was to determine effect of the project contractors’ capacity on performance of road construction projects in Uasin Gishu County. The study was guided by the following objectives; to assess the influence of the contractors’ financial capacity on the performance of road construction projects in Uasin Gishu County and to determine the influence of human resource capacity on performance of road construction projects in Uasin Gishu County The study was guided by Theory of Constraints (TOC), Stakeholder Theory and Human Capacity Theory. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population for the research were 195 employees which comprised of resident engineers, assistant engineers, materials technicians, works inspectors, surveyors, project managers, procurement, administrators and accountants. The desired sample size for the study was 135 respondents, derived from the accessible population through proportionate stratified random sampling was used to select respondents using the formula by Yamane (1967) to obtain respondents from each cluster. A random sample from each cluster is taken in a number proportional to the clusters size compared with the population. The research instrument used in the study was questionnaire. A pilot study was carried out in Nandi County to ascertain the validity and reliability of research instruments. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data for the current study. The descriptive statistics for the study included, the mean, percentages, standard deviation and the frequencies. Inferential statistics for the study included correlation and multiple regression models. The researcher used Statistical Package for Social Science software version 24 in analyzing the raw data. Descriptive statistics were used to answer research questions while hypotheses were tested at 95% confidence level using inferential statistics. The study findings revealed that the β coefficients were all significant used for multiple regression as follows; contractors’ financial capacity (β2=.208, p<0.05) and human resource capacity (β3=.194, p<0.05). The study concluded that contractors’ financial capability and human resource capacity are crucial for road project success. Financial capacity is crucial for project quality and timeliness. Human resource management is essential for recruiting skilled personnel and maintaining professionalism. The study recommends that contractors awarded contracts for road construction should have financial and human resource, capacities as it enhances project performance.
References
Addo, G. M. (2018). Assessing the Relevance of Micro Finance Credit to the Informal Small Businesses in Jukwa in the Central Region of Ghana (Doctoral Dissertation, University of Cape Coast).
Adnan, D. M. (2020). Foreign policy and domestic constraints: A conceptual account. South Asian Studies, 29(2).
Ahmadabadi, A. A., & Heravi, G. (2019). The effect of critical success factors on project success in Public-Private Partnership projects: A case study of highway projects in Iran. Transport Policy, 73, 152-161.
Akali, T., & Sakaja, Y. (2018). Influence of Contractors’ Financial Capacity on Performance of Road Construction in Kakamega County. American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS), 46(1), 34-50.
Al-Hajj, A., & Zraunig, M. (2018). The impact of project management implementation on the successful performance of projects in construction. International Journal of Innovation, Management and Technology, 9(1), 21-27.
Ali, A. (2018). Risk factors that leading to cost and time overrun in mega construction projects in Malaysia. ABC Research Alert, 6(3), Malaysia-Malaysia.
Alsafouri, S., & Ayer, S. K. (2018). Review of ICT Implementations for Facilitating Information Flow between Virtual Models and Construction Project Sites. Automation in Construction, 86, 176-189.
Alshammari, A. A. (2020). The Impact of Human Resource Management Practices, Organizational Learning, Organizational Culture and Knowledge Management Capabilities on Organizational Performance in Saudi Organizations: A Conceptual Framework. Revista Argentina De Clínica Psicológica, 29(4), 714.
Alsuliman, J. A. (2019). Causes of Delay in Saudi Public Construction Projects. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 58(2), 801-808.
Ansari, R. (2019). Dynamic Simulation Model for Project Change-Management Policies: Engineering Project Case. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 145(7), 05019008.
Anwar, G., & Abdullah, N. N. (2021). The Impact of Human Resource Management Practice on Organizational Performance. International Journal of Engineering, Business and Management (IJEBM), 5.
Asiedu, R. O., Adaku, E., & Owusu-Manu, D. G. (2010). Beyond the causes: Rethinking mitigating measures to avert cost and time overruns in construction projects. Construction Innovation, 17(3), 363-380.
Asinza, K., Kanda, E., Muchelule, Y., & Mbithi, S. (2016). Influence of Financial Capacity and Monitoring on Project Quality of Housing Construction in Nakuru County, Kenya.
Ayodele, O. A., Chang-Richards, A., & González, V. (2020). Factors Affecting Workforce Turnover in the Construction Sector: A Systematic Review. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 146(2), 03119010.
Aziz, R. F., & Abdel-Hakam, A. A. (2016). Exploring delay causes of road construction projects in Egypt. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 55(2), 1515-1539.
Balaguera, A., Carvajal, G. I., Albertí, J., & Fullana-i-Palmer, P. (2018). Life cycle assessment of road construction alternative materials: A literature review. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 133, 37-48.
Barney, J. B., & Harrison, J. S. (2020). Stakeholder Theory at the Crossroads. Business & Society, 59(2), 203-212.
Bhattacharya, H. (2021). Working Capital Management: Strategies and Techniques. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.
Boadu, E. F., Wang, C. C., & Sunindijo, R. Y. (2020). Characteristics of the Construction Industry in Developing Countries and Its Implications for Health and Safety: An Exploratory Study in Ghana. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(11), 4110.
Boakye-Gyasi, K., & LI, Y. (2016). The Linkage between China s Foreign Direct Investment and Ghana s Building and Construction Sector Performance. Eurasian Journal of Business and Economics, 9(18), 81-97.
Bolton, S., Wedawatta, G., Wanigarathna, N., & Malalgoda, C. (2022). Late Payment to Subcontractors in the Construction Industry. Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction, 14(4), 04522018.
Bowman, W. (2019). Financial capacity and sustainability of ordinary nonprofits. Nonprofit management and leadership, 22(1), 37-51.
Camps, J., Oltra, V., Aldás‐Manzano, J., Buenaventura‐Vera, G., & Torres‐Carballo, F. (2016). Individual performance in turbulent environments: The role of organizational learning capability and employee flexibility. Human resource management, 55(3), 363-383.
Chen, Q., & Skitmore, M. (2016). Time and cost performance of design–build projects. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 142(2), 04015074.
Chileshe, N., & John Kikwasi, G. (2018). Critical success factors for implementation of risk assessment and management practices within the Tanzanian construction industry. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 21(3), 291-319.
Clarke, M. (2018). Rethinking Graduate Employability: The Role of Capital, Individual Attributes and Context. Studies in Higher Education, 43(11), 1923-1937.
Dameri, R. P. (2017). Smart city implementation. Progress in IS; Springer: Genoa, Italy.
Daniel, P. A., & Daniel, C. (2018). Complexity, Uncertainty and Mental Models: From A Paradigm of Regulation to A Paradigm of Emergence in Project Management. International Journal of Project Management, 36(1), 184-197.
Deep, S., Banerjee, S., Dixit, S., & Vatin, N. I. (2022). Critical Factors Influencing the Performance of Highway Projects: An Empirical Evaluation. Buildings, 12(6), 849.
Dmytriyev, S. D., Freeman, R. E., & Hörisch, J. (2021). The Relationship between Stakeholder Theory and Corporate Social Responsibility: Differences, Similarities, and Implications for Social Issues in Management. Journal of Management Studies, 58(6), 1441-1470.
Durdyev, S., & Hosseini, M. R. (2020). Causes of Delays on Construction Projects: A Comprehensive List. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 13(1), 20-46.
Ehizuelen, M. M. O., & Abdi, H. O. (2018). Sustaining China-Africa relations: Slotting Africa into China’s one belt, one road initiative makes economic sense. Asian Journal of Comparative Politics, 3(4), 285-310.
Ehrenberg, R., Smith, R., & Hallock, K. (2021). Modern Labor Economics: Theory and Public Policy. Routledge.
Eja, K. M., & Ramegowda, M. (2020). Government Project Failure in Developing Countries: A Review with Particular Reference to Nigeria. Global Journal of Social Sciences, 19, 35-47.
England, P., & Folbre, N. (2023). Reconceptualizing Human Capital. A Research Agenda for Skills and Inequality, 177-195.
Eriksson, P. E., Lingegård, S., Borg, L., & Nyström, J. (2018). Procurement of railway infrastructure projects–a European benchmarking study. Civil engineering journal, 3(4), 199-213.
Fox, P., & Skitmore, M. (2017). Factors facilitating construction industry development. Building Research and Information, 35(2), 178-188.
Freeman, R. E., Harrison, J. S., & Zyglidopoulos, S. (2018). Stakeholder theory: Concepts and strategies. Cambridge University Press.
Hamouche, S. (2023). Human Resource Management and the COVID-19 Crisis: Implications, Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Organizational Directions. Journal of Management & Organization, 29(5), 799-814.
Haq, S. U., Gu, D., Liang, C., & Abdullah, I. (2019). Project governance mechanisms and the performance of software development projects: Moderating role of requirements risk. International Journal of Project Management, 37(4), 533-548.
Hasan, A., & Jha, K. N. (2019). Client and Contractor Roles in Schedule Incentive/Disincentive Projects: An Empirical Study from India. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 26(3), 386-407.
Hayat, K. (2018). Causes of Construction Reworks and Their Mitigation Strategies (Doctoral Dissertation, the British University in Dubai (Buid).
Heravi, G., & Mohammadian, M. (2017). Cost overruns and delay in municipal construction projects in developing countries. AUT Journal of Civil Engineering, 1(1), 31-38.
Hickson, R. J., & Owen, T. L. (2022). Project management for mining: Handbook for delivering project success. Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration.
Ibrahim, D. N. (2023). Assessment of the Training Needs of Woodwork Craftsmen for Effective Performance in Construction Industries in Abuja (Doctoral Dissertation).
Ika, L. A., & Pinto, J. K. (2021). The “re-meaning” of project success: Updating and recalibrating for a modern project management. International Journal of Project Management, 40(7), 835-848.
Ikediashi, D. I., & Okolie, K. C. (2022). An Assessment of Risks Associated with Contractor’s Cash Flow Projections in South-South, Nigeria. International Journal of Construction Management, 22(11), 2051-2058.
Kagiri, D., & Wainaina, G. (2018). Time and Cost Overruns in Power Projects in Kenya: A Case Study of Kenya Electricity Generating Company Limited. Orsea Journal, 3(2).
Kaliba, C., Muya, M., & Mumba, K. (2019). Cost escalation and schedule delays in road construction projects in Zambia. International journal of project management, 27(5), 522-531.
Kanda, E., Muchelule, Y., Mamadi, S., & Musiega, D. (2016). The effect of consultant related and external factors on completion of water projects in Kakamega County, Kenya.
Karakoç, M., & Eser, Ş. I. K. (2021). Theory of Constraints: The Application of Wine Production Facility. Ömer Halisdemir Üniversitesi İktisadi Ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, 14(2), 378-395.
Karman, A. (2020). Understanding Sustainable Human Resource Management–Organizational Value Linkages: The Strength of the SHRM System. Human Systems Management, 39(1), 51-68.
Kerzner, H. (2019). Using the project management maturity model: strategic planning for project management. John Wiley & Sons.
Khisa, I., & Mutuku, M. K. (2021). Critical success factors and performance of completed construction projects at National Social Security Fund, Nairobi City County, Kenya. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), 12(5), 248-257.
Kivilä, J., Martinsuo, M., & Vuorinen, L. (2017). Sustainable project management through project control in infrastructure projects. International Journal of Project Management, 35(6), 1167-1183.
Kumar, P., Maiti, J., & Gunasekaran, A. (2018). Impact of quality management systems on firm performance. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 35(5), 1034-1059.
Lin, L., & Liu, H. (2019). Choosing suitable project control modes to improve the knowledge integration under different uncertainties. International Journal of Project Management, 37(7), 896-911.
Lin, L., Müller, R., Zhu, F., & Liu, H. (2019). Choosing suitable project control modes to improve the knowledge integration under different uncertainties. International Journal of Project Management, 37(7), 896-911.
Mabonga, S. N. (2019). Applicability of public private partnerships in development of infrastructure in higher institutions of learning in Uganda (Doctoral dissertation, Kyambogo University.
Macharia, V. W. (2016). Factors influencing completion of road construction projects in Embakasi, Nairobi County Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).
Mahapatro, B. (2021). Human Resource Management. New Age International (P) Ltd.
Mamédio, D. F., & Meyer, V. (2020). Managing project complexity: how to cope with multiple dimensions of complex systems. International journal of managing projects in business, 13(4), 727-744.
Mashwama, X. N., Aigbavboa, C., & Thwala, D. (2016). Investigation of construction stakeholders’ perception on the effects & cost of construction dispute in Swaziland. Procedia engineering, 164, 196-205.
Meng, Q., & Nyantakyi, E. B. (2019). Local skill development from China's engagement in Africa: Comparative evidence from the construction sector in Ghana (No. 2019/22). Working Paper.
Metz, A., & Bartley, L. (2020). Implementation teams: A stakeholder view of leading and sustaining change. Implementation Science 3.0, 199-225.
Miller, R. T. (2022). How Would Directors Make Business Decisions Under a Stakeholder Model?. Bus. Law. 77, 773-786.
Minbaeva, D. B. (2018). Building Credible Human Capital Analytics for Organizational Competitive Advantage. Human Resource Management, 57(3), 701-713.
Mousa, S. K., & Othman, M. (2020). The Impact of Green Human Resource Management Practices on Sustainable Performance in Healthcare Organisations: A Conceptual Framework. Journal of Cleaner Production, 243, 118595.
Muhammad, Z., & Johar, F. (2019). Critical success factors of public–private partnership projects: a comparative analysis of the housing sector between Malaysia and Nigeria. International Journal of Construction Management, 19(3), 257-269.
Mushori, J., Rambo, C. M., & Wafula, C. M. (2020). Evaluation of Contractors’ Financial Ability: A Remedy for Performance of Road Construction Infrastructural Projects for Sustainable Cities. Journal of Sustainable Development, 13(6), 36-45.
Ndala, N. N., & Moto, F. (2019). Assessing the Access to Finance by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises from Financial Institutions in Blantyre City-Malawi. International Journal of Business and Management, 14(5).
Ndlovu, J., & Ndebele, N. C. (2019). Employment Experiences of Post Graduate Students in Kwazulu-Natal: An Intersection of Qualifications and Employability in the Labour Market. South African Journal of Higher Education, 33(2), 92-106.
Nguyen, C. (2020). The impact of training and development, job satisfaction and job performance on young employee retention. Job Satisfaction and Job Performance on Young Employee Retention.
Njeri, N., & Ngufi, P. (2021). Role of Conflict Resolution on the Performance of a Project Team in Kiambu County, Kenya.
Odziemkowska, K., & Henisz, W. J. (2021). Webs of Influence: Secondary Stakeholder Actions and Cross-National Corporate Social Performance. Organization Science, 32(1), 233-255.
Ofem Patrick, E., Ewa, W., & George Stephen, U. (2021). Construction Project Management in the Niger-Delta: Delays and Consequences. Journal of Architecture and Civil Engineering, 6(3), 01-19.
Ogeno, D. O. (2016). Factors influencing completion of construction projects in Kenya: a case of government buildings construction projects in Nairobi County, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).
Omondi, K., & Kinoti, K. (2020). Stakeholder participation and performance of road construction projects in Kilifi County, Kenya. International Academic Journal of Information Sciences and Project Management, 3(6), 274-292.
Ondari, P. O., & Gekara, J. M. (2018). Factors influencing successful completion of roads projects in Kenya. International Journal of Social Sciences and Entrepreneurship, 1(6), 26-48.
Ondiek, F. B. (2020). Influence of Project Planning on Road Construction Projects Performance in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya (Doctoral Dissertation, JKUAT-COHRED).
Ongondo, C. B., Gwaya, A. O., & Masu, S. (2019). Appraising the Performance of Construction Projects during Implementation in Kenya, 1963-2018: A Literature Review Perspective. Journal of Construction Engineering and Project Management, 9(2), 1-24.
Onokala, P. C., & Olajide, C. J. (2020). Problems and challenges facing the Nigerian transportation system which affect their contribution to the economic development of the country in the 21st century. Transportation Research Procedia, 48, 2945-2962.
Owoo, N. S., & Lambon-Quayefio, M. P. (2020). The construction sector in Ghana. Mining for Change.
Oyolla, C. A. (2019). Factors Influencing Cost of Road Construction Projects Within Selected Urban Areas in Kenya (Doctoral Dissertation, University of Nairobi).
Peters, E., Subar, K., & Martin, H. (2019). Late payment and nonpayment within the construction industry: Causes, effects, and solutions. Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction, 11(3), 04519013.
Phogat, M. V. S., & Singh, A. P. (2018). Selection of equipment for construction of a hilly road using multi criteria approach. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 104, 282-291.
Pinto, G., Silva, F. J. G., Baptista, A., Fernandes, N. O., Casais, R., & Carvalho, C. (2020). TPM implementation and maintenance strategic plan–a case study. Procedia Manufacturing, 51, 1423-1430.
Poku-Boansi, M. (2020). Path dependency in transport: A historical analysis of transport service delivery in Ghana. Case Studies on Transport Policy, 8(4), 1137-1147.
Rashidat, O. O., & Akindele, L. (2020). Human Capital Variables and Employee Satisfaction: An Assessment of Tvet in Federal Polytechnic Ilaro (Fpi).
Sambasivan, M., & Soon, Y. W. (2017). Causes and effect of delays in Malaysian construction industry. International Journal of project management, 25(5), 517-526.
Schaltegger, S., Hörisch, J., & Freeman, R. E. (2019). Business Cases for Sustainability: A Stakeholder Theory Perspective. Organization & Environment, 32(3), 191-212.
Shrivastava, R., Gupta, S., Mittal, A., & Saxena, B. (2019). Critical risk factors causing the time and cost overruns of Indian railway projects in India. International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology (IJEAT) PP, 5395-5401.
Siati, A. O., Nzulwa, J., & Kwena, R. (2019). Determinants of completion of building construction projects in Kenya: A case study of Nairobi County. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 6(2), 702-716.
Simiyu, B. W. (2018). Capacity of Local Contractors and Performance of Road Projects in Nairobi City County, Kenya. Unpublished Master’s Thesis, Kenyatta University.
Sinesilassie, E. G., Tabish, S. Z. S., & Jha, K. N. (2018). Critical factors affecting cost performance: a case of Ethiopian public construction projects. International Journal of Construction Management, 18(2), 108-119.
Tsine, E. (2022). The Challenges of Skilled Resources Recruitment and Retention in Construction Projects. A Case of a Cape Town Based Construction Company (Doctoral Dissertation, Cape Peninsula University of Technology).
Vooren, M. (2022). Essays on Human Capital Formation and Active Labor Market Policies. TIER.
Williams, M. J. (2017). The political economy of unfinished development projects: Corruption, clientelism, or collective choice. American Political Science Review, 111(4), 705-723.
Wilton, N. (2019). An introduction to human resource management. An Introduction to Human Resource Management, 1-632.
Yamoah, E. E. (2019). The link between human resource capacity building and job performance. International Journal of Human Resource Studies, 4(3), 139.
Yap, J. B. H., & Skitmore, M. (2018). Investigating Design Changes in Malaysian Building Projects. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 14(3), 218-238.
Zhang, Y., Minchin Jr, R. E., & Agdas, D. (2019). Forecasting completed cost of highway construction projects using LASSO regularized regression. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 143(10), 04017071.
