Critical success factors influencing the implementation of public private partnerships in the roads sector: a case of Uganda

Abstract

The study sought to establish critical success factors influencing the implementation of PPPs in the roads sector in Uganda. The objectives of the study were to determine CSFs influencing the implementation of PPP road projects in Uganda, to establish a success criterion for PPP road projects that provide a mechanism for determining extent of success of a PPP road project and to examine the extent of influence of PPP CSF to the successful implementation of PPP road projects in Uganda. A cross-sectional survey design with a quantitative approach was adopted in this study. A sample size of 140 respondents out of a population of 226 respondents. 140 questionnaires were administered to collect quantitative data. 132 questionnaires were filled and returned constituting a response rate of 94%. Data was collected from the public and private sector; specially selected from institutions with PPP exposure in varied capacities. Tests for normality, validity and reliability of data were carried out. The findings of the study revealed that there is a moderate positive relationship (0.512**) between political factors and PPP success criteria and the relationship was statistically significant at 0.01 level of significance P-Value (0.000) < 0.01. This finding was also reinforced by the interviews conducted in which all respondents echoed political factors as being crucial to the success of PPP road projects. On the other hand, the study also revealed that there is a moderate positive (0.620**) relationship between managerial factors and PPP success criteria. Verbatim interviews also stressed managerial factors as being critical for PPP implementation with regard to project identification, skills and competence of PPP practitioners as well as contract management and control. The findings further revealed that the relationship was statistically significant at 0.01 level of significance P-Value (0.000) < 0.01. Lastly, there is a moderate positive relationship (0.556**) between economic factors and PPP implementation and the relationship was statistically significant at 0.01 level of significance P-Value (0.000) < 0.01. The study recommends that to ensure the successful implementation of PPPs in the roads sector, the procurement process should result into selection of a strong private consortium with strong technical strength. Similarly, strong contract management and control should be undertaken throughout the PPP project implementation. However, strong contract management and control can only be effective if the organization staff and transaction adviser are competent in their understanding of PPP mechanisms.