Factors influencing implementation of wildlife conservation projects: the case of world wide fund for nature in nairobi, kenya

Abstract

Projects are used in all economic and non-economic fields as mean of organizing the activity, aiming the achievement of desired objectives. What determines project success, referred to as success factors, is also approached and considered to be of great interest. Success approached in relationship with projects is even more important since the number of failing projects is extremely high, more than one third of projects failing to reach their objectives. In particular, wildlife conservation projects have been challenged by rapid and intense environmental changes caused by increasing human numbers and technological advances. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors influencing implementation of wildlife conservation projects by WWF in Nairobi, Kenya. Specifically, the sought to establish the effect of social cultural factors, political factors, economic factors and legal factors on implementation of conservation projects by WWF in Nairobi, Kenya. This study used descriptive survey research design. The target population of this study was the 23 projects being implemented by WWF Kenya. This study was conducted through a survey targeting project managers and project officers in the projects. The study collected primary data using a semi-structured questionnaire with both close ended and open ended questions. A pretest was done to enhance reliability of the research instrument. Reliability estimate was measured using Cronbach Alpha coefficient (α) and found to reliable. The data was then analyzed using descriptive statistics. The descriptive statistical tools used were SPSS and Excel. The study further employed a multivariate regression model to study the relationship between factors (Sociocultural factors, Political factors, Legal factors and Economic factors) and implementation of wildlife conservation projects. The study established that social cultural factors, political factors, legal factors and economic factors influenced the implementation of wildlife conservation projects to a great extent. From the regression analysis and correlation analysis, social cultural factors was found to influence implementation the of wildlife conservation projects of WWF in Nairobi