Influence of conflict resolution strategies on project implementation a case of titanium base limited Kwale county, Kenya

Abstract

Conflict resolution strategies have become essential in the running of projects irrespective of the size of the project. Acquisition of these strategies is vital as conflict in a project or organization can have detrimental effects from low productivity to lack of motivation in the employees. The objective of this study was to identify the influence of conflict resolution strategies on a project’s implementation. Titanium Base Limited is one of the Kenyan government’s flagship projects projected to have a life of thirteen years and expected to generate huge revenue boosting the country’s economy. This therefore necessitated the need for the study. The specific objectives of the study were to establish the extent to which leadership styles influence the conflict resolution strategy in a project, determine the extent to which organizational structure influences the conflict resolution strategies, examine the extent to which cross-cultural factors influence the conflict resolution strategies and finally, how gender issues influence the conflict resolution strategies in a project’s implementation. The study aimed to identify the causes and consequences of conflicts in projects and how these conflicts can be resolved. This study will therefore be beneficial to project managers, researchers, scholars, investors and even the government as it will seek to identify conflict resolution strategies that can be used to ensure projects implementation is a success. The study adopted descriptive survey design with a target population of one hundred and eleven employees of Titanium Base Limited in Kwale County out of which a sample of thirty one respondents were identified. The sample used purposive sampling for selecting the managers while the middle level and low level staff were chosen using proportionate sampling. Questionnaires were the main data collection instrument and it had both open-ended and closed-ended questions. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative research in its data analysis. Data was presented in tabular form and hypothesis drawn. The study found out that conflict resolution strategies influenced the implementation of a project. Joint problem solving was found to be the most preferred strategy of conflict resolution that enables a project realize its goals. Therefore project managers have the onus of steering their projects to success by ensuring they choose the best strategies that suit the type of project and ensuring that there are clear policies on how conflict ought to be handled. Only through this would projects be properly implemented.