Factors influencing implementation of biomedical research projects: a case of Kenya Medical Research Institute

Abstract

The purpose of this research project is to examine factors influencing successful implementation of biomedical research projects in Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). These research sought to achieve five objectives with the key variables examined being the dependent variable successful implementation of biomedical projects in KEMRI and independent variables of top management support, organization structure, communication system, project team leader and procurement procedures. The research design employed in conducting this study is descriptive research design. The study used questionnaire to collect data, which incorporated qualitative and quantitative data. Participants in this study were KEMRI scientific staffs who have been involved in project implementation. The sample size used was 90 scientific staff. Data from questionnaires was obtained using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20.0) and analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequencies and percentages. One sample nonparametric test of significance, using chi-square, was used to determine the statistical significance between the observed distribution frequencies and the expected distribution based on the null hypotheses. The results indicate that top management support influence successful implementation of the project with 76.3% of the respondent supporting this. 73.7%, of the respondents indicated that organization structure in the institute supports projects implementation. Communication system which was found to be effective and used by both project leader and top management was emails with 73.7% respondents indicating its effective. All the respondents 100% of indicated that the project leaders are committed to successful implementation of the projects while 57.9% said procurement procedures contribute to successful implementation of the projects. Statistically the study showed a significance relationship between; top management support P value 0.000, organization structure P value 0.008, project leader performance P value 0.003, procurement procedure P value 0.015 and successful implementation of biomedical projects. Recommendation: The roles the top management’s plays during project implementation should be standardized to all projects to make sure all project gets equal or relatively the same attention from the top management. The adoption of project friendly organization structure will keenly consider projects and success rate of project will be high and within the time limit given to each projects. It is important for the institute organization structure to have project related structure. The bureaucracy of communication which takes long and it’s not effective should be done away with and embrace the faster and effective way of communication. The projects leaders should be offered indoor training to enhance their project management skills. The top management should have checks and control of procurements procedures to enhance its effectiveness. In conclusion the study found out that the project leaders are committed to successful implementation of the project. The top management should devise a way of assisting the project leaders in project implementation. The coordination of projects is easier if the organization structure fully supports projects. Communication is one of most challenging and difficult tasks in any project implementation. The communication between the project team and top management in KEMRI should be improved. The same is to scientific committee and project team leader. The project leader needs to have skills and knowledge that would help him/her in leading the project. By applying the appropriate leadership traits a project manager could direct projects effectively and efficiently. The delay in procurement of consumables delays the completion of the projects and hence increases the project budget.