The performance of bridge projects in Kenya is poor in terms of completion by schedule, cost, and quality (scope). Yet, there is less evidence of empirical research on what factors contribute to this outcome. This study aimed to bridge this gap by examining the effects of contractor-related factors on the performance of bridge construction projects in Kenya through a case study of the Bridge projects Implemented by the Kenya National Highway Agency (KeNHA). The theory of constraints (TOC) was adopted as its theoretical framework. Descriptive research was used, and the target population was 18 bridge construction projects, which were the units of analysis from 2012 to 2022. In each of these projects, 18 respondents, namely clients, consultants, contractors, engineers, environment and social guards, project managers, stakeholders, subcontractors, technical advisors, and inspectors, were included in a target population of 144 respondents. A census was conducted and a structured questionnaire was administered from which a response rate of 68% was achieved. The information was analyzed using descriptive, correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis. The contractor-related factors considered in the study were staff and management factors. The findings indicated that staff and management factors had a positive and significant outcome on performance of bridge construction projects. The study recommends continuous training and a safe learning environment for staff to improve their skills and performance in future projects. The study also recommends that a special category for bridge contractors be created in Kenya’s National Construction Authority rankings to ensure that only qualified contractors implement the Bridge projects.
References
[1]
Chaudhari, A.N. and Shah, U. (2021) Evaluation of Quality Management System of Bridge Construction Projects. International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology, 10, 421-424.
[2]
Tang, M. (2018) Forms and Aesthetics of Bridges. Engineering, 4, 267-276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2017.12.013
[3]
Zaeri, F. and Rotimi, J.O.B. (2014) The Power of Technology in Bridge Construction Project Management. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (IAARC), Sydney, 9-11 July 2014, 987-994. https://doi.org/10.22260/isarc2014/0059
[4]
Qin, S. (2022) Recent Hydraulic Bridge Failures in China: Review and Discussion. Revista de la construcción, 21, 193-203. https://doi.org/10.7764/rdlc.21.2.193
[5]
Timilsina, S.P., Ojha, S.K. and Dhungana, B.R. (2020) Causes of Delay in Construction of Motorable Bridges under “Design and Build Model” of Bridge Project, Department of Roads, Nepal. Modern Economy, 11, 1451-1462. https://doi.org/10.4236/me.2020.118103
[6]
Shah, K.J. and Apte, M.R. (2020) Causes of Delay in Construction of Bridge Girders. IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, 12, 8-12.
[7]
Ibrahim, J., Loch, C. and Sengupta, K. (2022) Two Bridge Projects. In: Ibrahim, J., Loch, C. and Sengupta, K., Eds., How Mega-Projects Are Damaging Nigeria and How to Fix It, Palgrave Macmillan, 137-148.
[8]
Frederic, H. and Irechukwu, E.N. (2023) Factors Affecting Cost and Execution Pe-riod of Trail Bridge Construction Project in Nyamagabe District, Rwanda. Journal of Entrepreneurship & Project Management, 7, 21-44. https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t5192
[9]
Chan, D.W.M. and Kumaraswamy, M.M. (1999) Factors Facilitating Faster Construction. Journal of Construction Procurement, 5, 88-98.
[10]
Tafesse, S. (2021) A Review on the Critical Factors Causing Delay of Delivery Time in Construction Projects. International Journal of Engineering Technologies, 6, 69-81. https://doi.org/10.19072/ijet.815025
[11]
Simon, S.M., Njuguna, B.M. and Kivaa, T.P. (2021) An Evaluation of the Organizational Performance of Local Contractors in Kenya. East African Journal of Engineering, 3, 46-66. https://doi.org/10.37284/eaje.3.1.289
[12]
Shivachi, S.M., Nzulwa, J. and Kwena, R. (2019) Influence of Project Designs on the Success of Bridge Construction Projects in Kenya: A Case Study of Nairobi City County. Journal of International Business, Innovation and Strategic Management, 2, 31-46.
[13]
Auditor-General (2022) Auditor-General’s Report on National Government 2021/2022.
[14]
Goldratt, E.M. and Cox, J. (1984) The Goal—A Process of Ongoing Improvement, North. River Press.
[15]
Lau, E. and Kong, J. (2006) Identification of Constraints in Construction Projects to Improve Performance. Proceedings of the Joint Conference on Construction, Culture, Innovation and Management, Dubai, November 2006, 26-29.
[16]
Raza, S.A. and Shah, T.Z. (2012) Work Environment and Its Impact on Triple Constraint of Project Management. Information Management and Business Review, 4, 545-552. https://doi.org/10.22610/imbr.v4i10.1011
[17]
Mishra, A.K. (2020) Implication of Theory of Constraints in Project Management. International Journal of Advanced Trends in Engineering and Technology, 5, 1-13.
[18]
Bakr, G.A. (2018) Ranking the Factors That Influence the Construction Project Success: The Jordanian Perspective. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7, 97-102. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i3.32.18401
[19]
Tayade, A.M., Mahatme, P.S. and Sabihuddin, S. (2020) Delay in Bridge Construction and Analysis by RII Method. International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, 7, 2040-2048.
[20]
Parrangan, P., Rachman, R. and Tanijaya, J. (2020) Study Delay of Road and Bridge Construction Project in Yalimo Regency, Papua Province. International Journal of Innovative Science, Engineering & Technology, 8, 650-658.
[21]
Adebowale, O.J. and Ayodeji, F.J. (2015) Analysis of Construction-Related Factors Affecting the Efficiency of Construction Labour. Journal of Construction Project Management and Innovation, 5, 1115-1130.
[22]
Sakyi, K.A., Musona, D. and Mweshi, G. (2020) Research Methods and Methodology. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 7, 296-302. https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.73.7993
[23]
Pedersen, A.L., Utkilen, S., Wondimu, P. and Torp, O. (2021) The Risk of Involving Foreign Contractors in the Norwegian Infrastructure Market. Procedia Computer Science, 181, 1196-1206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2021.01.317
[24]
Pratiwi, A. and Wardhana, H. (2021) Analysis of Construction Service User Satisfaction on Bridge Contractor Performance in Banjarmasin City. American Journal of Engineering Research, 10, 1-8.
[25]
Kumar, P.K. (2022) Investigation and Analysis of Factor Affecting Cost Overrun for Bridge Construction. International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology, 10, 3364-3368. https://doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2022.45750
[26]
Rathenam, B.D.C. and Dabup, N.L. (2017) Impact of Community Engagement on Public Construction Projects—Case Study of Hammanskraal Pedestrian Bridge, City of Tshwane, South Africa. Universal Journal of Management, 5, 418-428. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujm.2017.050902
[27]
Górecki, J. and Núñez-Cacho, P. (2022) Decision-Making Problems in Construction Projects Executed under the Principles of Sustainable Development—Bridge Construction Case. Applied Sciences, 12, Article 6132. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12126132
