Risk Management Practices and Performance of Road Construction Projects in Kilifi County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of risk management practices on performance of road construction projects in Kilifi County, Kenya. Drawing on the positivist research philosophy, the research utilized the quantitative non-experimental research methodology. The research employed the correlational cross-sectional survey design for testing noncausal relationships among variables. The target population consisted of 224 project implementation team in charge of 56 road construction projects under the Kenya Rural Roads Authority in Kilifi County, Kenya. The proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 144 project implementation team in charge of 36 road construction projects under the Kenya Rural Roads Authority in Kilifi County, Kenya. A self-administered structured survey questionnaire was utilized to collect primary data. A pilot study was conducted to test the validity and reliability of the constructed survey questionnaire. With the help of 3 research assistants, the researcher utilized the drop and pick method to hand deliver the survey questionnaires to 144 project implementation team in charge of 36 road construction projects in Kilifi County, Kenya. The cross-sectional survey-based approach was used for the primary data collection. The collected data was coded, edited, and entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 to create a data sheet that was used for statistical analysis. Data analysis involved the use of descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The Pearson's product moment correlation results indicated that risk identification and risk analysis had positive and significant relationship with performance of road construction projects in Kilifi County, Kenya. The multiple regression results indicated that risk identification and risk analysis had positive and significant influence on performance of road construction projects in Kilifi County, Kenya. The project managers should implement the risk management practices to foster performance of road construction projects. The policymakers should initiate policy review to encourage project managers to implement the risk management practices to foster performance of road construction projects. Future researchers should examine the moderating influence of project complexity on the relationship between risk management practices and performance of construction projects in other regions or sectors.