Enhancing Performance of Public-Private Partnership Projects: Data Management and Capacity Building of Standard Gauge Railway

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of data management and capacity building on the performance of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project in Kenya, specifically within the context of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practices in public-private partnership (PPP) frameworks. Anchored in the tenets of the Principal-Agent Theory, Institutional Theory, and Transaction Cost Economics Theory, this research employs a survey-based approach, drawing insights from 55 SGR project employees. In exploring the influence of data management, the findings illuminate its significant correlation with the orchestration and advancement of the SGR project. Additionally, the study underscores the positive repercussions of capacity-building initiatives on enhancing the project’s performance metrics. Notably, participants exhibited a consensus regarding the efficacy of these programs in augmenting the skills and knowledge base of the project team and stakeholders. The study accentuates the imperative for a comprehensive review aimed at fortifying the accuracy and security of project data. It recommends a strategic emphasis on initiatives enhancing data reliability and security within the SGR project’s framework. These insights contribute crucial perspectives on the pivotal roles of data management and capacity building, specifically underscoring their influence on the SGR project in Kenya.