Critical success factors influencing project performance of local road contractors in Uganda: a case study of selected districts in north eastern Uganda

Abstract

This research established critical success factors determining project performance of local road contractors in the selected districts in north eastern Uganda. Local road contractors face challenges of time overrun, which leads to cost overrun, poor quality performance, leading to client dissatisfaction. In order to overcome these challenges, this research sought; to establish factors that impact on project execution of local road construction companies, to ascertain the effects of the established factors on road project implementation and to develop a framework to improve road project performance. A descriptive investigative research design was used, with mixed methods. The study population consisted of contractors, supervising engineers, client representatives, District/Town Engineer, local leaders and civil society organizations from which a sample size of 69 respondents was selected using simple random and purposive sampling methods. Questionnaire survey and interviews were the methods for data collection. Data were later analysed using relative importance index (RII) and regression analysis. The study examined a total of four factors and established that funding, ethical practices and technical capacity are the major critical factors that influence the performance of local road projects while managerial efficiency had no critical effect. It was further established that funding, ethical practices and technical capacity have significant (p<0.05) impact on road project performance, from which a framework to improve on performance of local road contractors was developed. The study concluded that critical success factors are; technical capacity, financial capacity and ethical practices. Key words; Success Factors, Projects, Performance, Local Road Contractors, Districts, North Eastern Uganda.