Project Management Dynamics and Project Performance in Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya
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Date
2024-04
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Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
A significant number of projects within the Kenya Ports Authority fall short of meeting their expected performance levels concerning factors such as timing, quality, and budget adherence, with over 70 percent experiencing discrepancies in meeting their timeframes, quality standards, and cost constraints. Despite the presence of numerous regulations and the provision of comprehensive training for consultants, a notable proportion of public sector projects in Kenya fail to achieve their intended objectives. The purpose of this study was to look into how the dynamics of project management affect how well public projects operate at the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA). Specifically, it sought to analyze how procurement processes, project financing, stakeholder participation, and project communication management affect the performance of these public projects. The study was guided by several theoretical frameworks, including Agency Theory, Modern Portfolio Theory, Stakeholders Theory, and Cybernetics Theory. A descriptive research design was used to carry out this study. A combination of closed-ended and open-ended questions were included in the questionnaires that were used to gather data from 142 participants. The sample was divided into groups using a stratified sampling technique, and 59 project officers were chosen to participate. The researcher distributed the questionnaires and collected them when they were finished. In addition, a pilot study was carried out with 14 project officers who were part of the intended participant group but declined to participate. Test-retest reliability measures were evaluated using Cronbach's alpha coefficients, and data dependability was assessed using the test-retest method. The process of analyzing the data included both quantitative and qualitative techniques. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. The performance of public projects at KPA was found to be significantly impacted by procurement practices, project financing, stakeholder participation, and project communication systems. The study's recommendations emphasize the importance of regular reviews of procurement policies, comprehensive training programs, strengthening budget controls, active stakeholder engagement, and investing in communication technologies to enhance project performance within Kenya Ports Authority.
Description
A Research Project Submitted to School of Business, Economics and Tourism in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Award of the Degree of Masters of Business Administration (Project Management) of Kenyatta University April 2024.
Supervisor
David Nzuki