Project manager leadership style, teamwork, Project characteristics and performance of Water projects in Kenya

Abstract

The overall objective of this study was to determine the relationship between project manager’s leadership style, teamwork, project characteristics and their impact on project performance in water sector projects in Kenya. To achieve the objective, six hypothesis were formulated namely there is no significant relationship between project manager’s leadership style and project performance; there is no significant relationship between project manager’s leadership style and teamwork; there is no significant relationship between teamwork and project performance; the relationship between project manager’s leadership style and project performance is not intervened by teamwork; the relationship between project manager’s leadership style and project performance is not moderated by project characteristics; and the joint effect of project manager’s leadership style, project characteristics and teamwork on project performance is not significant. Through the use of positivist research paradigm and descriptive cross-sectional research design, primary data was collected from project managers and project team members involved in water projects in the country while secondary data was collected from project files. Project performance was evaluated in terms of time performance index (tpi) and cost Performance index (cpi). In terms of project performance, the study found that 82 Percent of the projects had experienced time over-run, with the average time over-run Being 100 percent. On the other hand, 49 percent of the projects had experienced cost Over-run with the average cost over-run being approximately 20 percent. The study Findings are that there is statistically significant relationship between project manager’s Leadership style and project time performance; there is a statistically significant positive Relationship between project manager’s leadership style and teamwork; there is a Statistically significant relationship between teamwork and project time performance; the Relationship between project manager’s leadership style and project time performance is Mediated by teamwork; and moderated by project complexity; and there is a statistically Significant combined effect on the relationship between project manager’s leadership Style, teamwork, project characteristics and project time performance. However, no statistically significant relationship was found between project manager’s leadership style And project cost performance. Although the study findings confirm existence of a statistically significant relationship between project manager’s leadership style and Project time performance, the findings indicate that the relationship was not direct as it was mediated by teamwork. In addition, the study has shown the moderating role of Project characteristics in the relationship between project manager’s leadership style and Project time performance. The study findings have also identified the importance of Informational leadership style and teamwork in enhancing performance of water Projects in Kenya. This implies that clients should consider leadership style and team Building capabilities of project managers before allocating them projects. Further, with Leadership being critical, there is need for curricular review as a way of ensuring that Graduates have the right mix of technical and leadership skills necessary for successful Project execution