Critical success factors for effective internal construction stakeholder management in Nigeria

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In developing countries such as Nigeria, Stakeholder Management (SM) practice is weak. The weakness of this practice often inhibits project goals in terms of time and cost overruns, disputes and lack of trust among the stakeholders. This article reports the results of a study on critical factors for successful SM in construction projects in Nigeria, in order to suggest ways to enhance project performance. The study employed a quantitative survey research design, using self-administered questionnaires distributed to construction practitioners (quantity surveyors, architects, engineers, builders and project managers) on construction sites in two selected geo-political zones of Nigeria. The collected data was analysed, using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicated that seven critical factors are important to successful SM in the research environment. These include engagement of competent project leaders and team members, effective communication, promoting good relationships, formulating a clear project mission statement, management support, and a good SM strategy which are instructive to improve SM. The study recommends the prioritisation of competency in the selection of project teams, effective relationship management and improved information dissemination during construction as the precursors of successful SM and project performance. Stakeholders must be adequately identified and analysed to ensure that they are competent for the contract and appropriate for the job. Construction practitioners, especially project leaders, could use identified critical success factors (CSFs) as a road map in the development of appropriate solutions for successfully managing stakeholders associated in the Nigerian construction industry.