Influence of External Business Environment on the Success of Health Projects in Nyandarua County, Kenya
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Date
2019-06
Authors
Kanyeria, Ruth Njeri
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Due to the increased level of dynamic environment in which projects are implemented
organizations face great challenges in ensuring that the projects are successfully delivered on
time, within the set budget and as per the clients expectations. Project managers at Nyanadarua
County have been facing challenges to deliver sustainable projects that are effective in the long
run, deliver the expected outcomes and meet the needs of the client. Therefore, this study aimed
at establishing the influence of the external environment on the success of health projects in
Nyandarua County. The following specific objectives were addressed; to establish the influence
of government resource allocation on the success of health projects, to assess the influence of
change in political leadership on the success of health projects, to find out the influence of
finance on the success of health projects, to determine the influence of stakeholder involvement
on the success of health projects and to establish the influence of technology adoption on the
success of health projects. Theories reviewed in this study were the resource based view theory,
stakeholder theory and transaction cost analysis theory. The study adopted a descriptive survey
design with the target population being the project managers of health projects that are ongoing
in the county. There were a total of 40 projects and therefore a census inquiry was used since the
number is manageable. Data was conducted using a questionnaire. Validity and reliability of the
questionnaires were ensured through content validity and test re-test method respectively. Data
was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to yield frequency tables,
mean, mode, median and standard deviation. Multiple linear regression model was used to
measure the relationship between the independent and the dependent variables. Data was
presented using charts, tables and graphs. The study established a positively and significant
relationship between government resource allocation, political leadership, finance, stakeholder
involvement and technology adoption on the success of health projects. The study concludes that
the budget provides a means to monitor the project’s financial activities over the life of the
project and provides a framework for expenditure to achieve the objectives of the project in an
efficient manner. Realistic planning of finances is key to proper implementation of a project.
Usually projects fail due to struggle because of the inattention of a project manager to the
political environment. Finance provides numerous benefits such as risk management incentives,
leverage flexibility extension and free cash flow creation. Stakeholder involvement develops a
confidence atmosphere by requiring shareholders ' voices to be heard and their issues to be
identified and technology-based project management can help companies to streamline business
operations, reduce overhead costs, and improve equipment tracking. The study recommends that
project managers in the County should identify the right resources towards the success of health
projects being implemented in the County. Project leaders stay out in front of the County health
projects through the political landscape of the County. A project managers seeking finance for a
new health project should preferably seek the services of a financial advisor to assist with the
feasibility study of the project and appoint sponsors to raise the funding. Project managers
should engage stakeholders early and often in order to ensure project progress. The County
should have good project management software that allows project teams to centralize
documents, work on schedules and budgets together, and tag each other in updates and requests.
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the School of Business in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Business Administration (Project Management Option) of Kenyatta University. June, 2019
Keywords
Influence, External Business Environment, Success, Health Projects, Nyandarua County, Kenya