Influence of Time Management on Implementation of Road Construction Projects in Kilifi County, Kenya

Abstract

Purpose: Major road construction projects across Kilifi County have experienced delays in delivery due to a majority of contractors, both local firms and government agencies, failing to adhere to agreed-upon completion dates.it is in the backdrop of these problems that influenced the researcher to establish the influence of time management on the implementation of road projects in Kilifi County. The main purpose of this study was to examine the influence of time management on the implementation’s road constructions projects in Kilifi County.Methodology: The study adopted cross sectional research design and collect data using questionnaires from 120 engineers/project managers, supervisors/inspectors and technicians/foremen from 12 organizations including five construction companies involved in urban road construction projects in Kilifi County, five service providers whose utility facilities run along road construction corridors in Kilifi County, and two state corporations charged with the management of road construction in Kenya. Data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics with the help of IBM SPSS Statistics. Descriptive analysis involved the use of frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation in order to summarize the results of the various study variables. Inferential analysis involved the application of Pearson correlation and regression analysis to determine the nature of relationship between time management and implementation of road projects in Kilifi County.Results: The study found out that activity sequencing positively and significantly affects road constructions projects in Kilifi County (r = 0.688, P=0.000 < 0.01). The study further determined that a unit improvement in activity sequencing would lead significantly lead to improvement in road project implementation (β = 0.127, t = 2.037, P=0.044 <0.05). It was also determined that resource estimation positively and significantly affects implementation of road constructions projects in Kilifi County (r = 0.721, P = 0.002 < 0.01). the analysis also showed that a unit improvement in resource estimation would lead to a unit improvement in road project implementation (β = 0.218, t = 2.741, P = 0.005<0.05). The study also determined that activity control significantly and positively predicts implementation of road constructions projects in Kilifi County (r = 0.909, P= 0.000< 0.01). The regression analysis showed that a unit improvement in activity control would significantly lead to an improvement in implementation of road construction projects in the county (β = 0.173, t =3.045, P = 0.003<0.05). Finally, the study found out that institutional capacity affects road projects implementation (r = 0.558, P=0. .003 < 0.01). It was also determined that institutional capacity has moderating influence on the relationship between time management and road project implementation (β = 0.185, t = 4.302, P=0.000 < 0.05).Unique contribution to theory, policy and practice: The study recommended that for effective time management during implementation of road construction projects, there should be stakeholder involvement as this will facilitate ideas and perspective. Stakeholder involvement in time management and planning, will better their correspondence, improve accuracy of information, increase credibility and acceptance findings and finally improve the quality road constructions projects in Kilifi County.