Organizational Factors Influencing Performance Of Contractors In Public Building Projects In Pokot Central Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

This study determined the influence organizational factors have on performance of contractors in building public projectsin Pokot Central Sub-County. Specific objectives were to determine the influence of communication systems, staff competence, financial service and procurement procedures on performance of building contractors. The study was anchored on the Theory of Constraints as proposed by Goldratt in 1984. The study adopted descriptive survey research design, which considered the use of structured questionnaires and interview schedules. The Target population was estimated to be 1500 (contractors and officials from regulatory agency) while the sample size was determined using Mora and Kloet (2010) formula and was 315. Stratified and random sampling were used to identify contractors.Purposive sampling was used to identify officials from the regulatory agency. Data collection was done by administering questionnaires to contractors in building public projectswhile officials from regulatory agencies responded to interviews. Quantitative data from questionnaires was analyzed using SPSS software version 22 to determine frequencies and percentages. Qualitative data from interviews was analyzed using thematic analysis where responses were organized in themes and sub-themes as they relate to objectives and indicators respectively. From the study, 89.7%, 85.0%, 84.7% and 83.0% of the respondents stated that communication systems, financial services, staff competence and procurement procedures respectively influenced performance of building contractors. Further, 90.0% respondents stated that effective communication from clients influenced performance of building contractors. In another case, 87.0% and 74.8% respondents asserted that good credit worthiness and asset net worth respectively influenced their ability to acquire financial credit enhance their performance as building contractors. Regarding experience, 91.3% respondents asserted that the level of experience of building contractors influenced performance more than knowledge acquired. In another case, 56.6% of the respondents stated that the main reason why they placed bids or applied for projects was project monetary value. I recommend that the County Government should work closely with the National Government to build network masts and transmitters to enhance communication. NCA, NEMA, Ministry of Public Works & Housing and Public Health should frequently evaluate projects and share findings. The legislature should repeal the law on capping interest rates.