Factors influencing project implementation in non governmental organisations: a case of world scout bureau, Africa regional office Nairobi, Kenya
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to establish the
factors influencing
project implementation in
Non
-
Governmental Organisations. The study was carried out in World Scout Bureau, Africa
Regional Office based in Nairobi County in Kenya and had the following objectives: to
establish the extent to which techni
cal factors influence project implementation in
World Scout
Bureau, Africa Regional Office
, to
e
xamine
the extent to which managerial factors influence
project implementation in
World Scout Bureau, Africa Regional Office
, to
evaluate
the extent
to which or
ganisational structures influence project implementation in
World Scout Bureau,
Africa Regional Office
and to assess the extent to which factors attributed to donor policies and
practices influence project implementation in
World Scout Bureau, Africa Regio
nal Office
.
The target population of this study included all cadres of ARO staff. The total population in the
study was 25. A descriptive research design was adopted. Complete sampling was used in this
study where the total population took part in the stud
y. The study made use of closed ended
questionnaires, interview schedule and observation guide as instruments of data collection.
Questionnaires
were used to
collect
data from all the employees wh
ile interview schedule was
used to collect
data from department heads. Observation was applied throughout ARO. Data
was analysed qualitatively through content analysis. Quantitative data was first coded then
analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). After interpretation, the f
indings
were presented in tables using frequencies and percentages. The
study revealed that technical
factors, managerial factors, organisational structures and factors attributed to donor policies
and practices
influenced project implementation at ARO
.
Th
ough qualified ICT personnel were
in place, it was concluded that they were not directly involved in project management since
gaps like lack of data management systems to support project implementation were witnessed
.
The study revealed that ARO largely ad
apted a functional organisational structure, which was
not effectively responding to the project management needs and standards for better
performance. Where as existence of policies and programmes that would support project
implementation coupled with wid
e awareness of the same among the ARO staff was
acknowledged, the study found out that there were gaps in the implementation of such policies
to enhance project performance. The study therefore concluded that NGOs need to invest in
technical, managerial, o
rganisation structures and issues related to donor policies and practices
which continue to affect better project performance. Major recommendations were that; NGOs
should invest in project staff by equipping them with knowledge, skills and attitudes to en
able
them deliver their mandates effectively, adequate and qualified human resources should be
availed to manage different projects so as to enhance project performance, NGOs should invest
in upgrading their technology infrastructure to support project imp
lementation and
NGOs
should invest in better collaboration with donors and financiers to ensure cross cutting
accountability and also encourage downward accountability. Areas for further re
search work
included a study on:
factors influencing donor accounta
bility in project management and
factors contributing to lack of senior management support in projects. These would highlight
the issues underlying the failure of project implementation and inform decision makers on the
necessary action
s
to be taken
.
Publisher
University of Nairobi