PROJECT MANAGERS' SOFT SKILLS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to examine the influence of project managers' soft skills on implementation of road construction projects in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study specifically sought to; assess the influence of project managers’ communication skills on implementation of road construction projects in Nairobi County, Kenya; and to establish the influence of project managers’ risk management skill on implementation of road construction projects in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study adopted cross-sectional research design. The target population was 21 ongoing and completed projects by KURA in Nairobi County. The unit of observation was road contractors, engineers, inspectors, surveyors and supervisors. From information obtained from KURA, there were 21 road contractors, 14 road engineers, 4 road supervisors, 12 road inspectors, and 8 road surveyors. Therefore, the target population for the study was 59 individuals. This study used primary data collected using a structured questionnaire. The study used a total of 6 individuals in the pilot test which represent 10% of study sample. The pilot group was selected randomly from construction Projects by KURA in Kiambu County because it has similar characteristics with Nairobi County. Quantitative data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics techniques such as frequency, percentages, and means and summary graphs, pie charts, and frequency distribution tables. Pearson R correlation was used to measure the strength and direction of linear relationship between variables. Multiple regression models were fitted to the data in order to determine how the independent variables influence the dependent variable. The findings were presented in tables and figures. The study concludes that project managers’ communication skills has a positive and significant effect on implementation of road construction projects in Nairobi County. The study also concludes that project managers’ risk management skills has a positive and significant effect on implementation of road construction projects in Nairobi County. From the findings, this study recommends that the management of road construction agencies in Kenya should provide training programs and workshops for project managers to enhance their communication skills. This should focus on improving their ability to communicate clearly, provide effective feedback, and use influence and persuasion techniques.