Factors Influencing Performance Of Non Governmental Organizations Projects In The Urban Informal Settlements: A Case Of Undugu Society Of Kenya, Nairobi County.

Abstract

This research was to analyze the factors influencing the Performance of NGO projects within the urban informal settlements focusing on a case of Undugu Society of Kenya. Considering the direct relationship between reaching projects‟ objectives and the long term development of an organization, aspects regarding projects‟ performance is a topic of great interest in project management literature and especially since there is limited attention to the performance of NGOs in the urban informal settlements. Reaching projects „objectives in compliance with constraints of cost, time and quality is usually not sufficient to determine whether the project was successful or not. While literature provides different perspectives regarding this topic, in reality things get sometimes even more complicated, project performance being often not well defined. The target population was the ten projects of Undugu Society of Kenya. The study constituted 95 staff of Undugu Society of Kenya, (Executive Management, Project Managers, Project Officers, Project Coordinators and the Project support staff), out of which a sample of 77 respondents were selected for the study. The study was conducted against the backdrop of exerted enormous pressure on national and international approaches to projects development and implementation, especially to its successful execution and completion. There has been a lot of pressure from these organizations to most recipient countries, and especially the developing countries, on stewardship of projects that are financed by them. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design applying qualitative approach. Multi cluster sampling technique was used to select the sample as well as purposive non-probability sampling procedure. The study used self-administered questionnaires to collect data. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to analyze data with both inferential and descriptive analysis being employed. The findings of the study was presented in accordance with the variables and themes of the study. The study revealed that the time of funding for USK projects were varied and thus affecting project activities and in turn the success of the projects. The study found that top management at Undugu Society of Kenya attended project meetings frequently. The study also found that stakeholder‟s decisions influence project performance to a great extent. The study revealed that stakeholders involvement in management of project finances, monitoring of project progress and in mobilizing of funds influenced the success of the NGOs project. The study concluded that timing of project funding was affected by invariable time of financing and funding conditions that is attached to the donor funds. The study recommended that the management should steer the organization in to achieving timely funding, meet donor conditions and requirements. USK Management also needs to consistently focus on improving the skills of the project staff. Top management support is essential and thus their commitment would take USK to the next level. The study recommends that management of USK should promote stakeholder involvement in management of project processes