Determinants of Successful Completion of Force Account Projects in Public Institutions of Tanzania: The Case of Dar es Salaam Water and Sanitation Authority
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51137/wrp.ijarbm.838Keywords:
Force Account, Construction Projects, Skills of Staff, Top Management Support, Financial Resources.Abstract
This study assessed the factors influencing the successful completion of construction projects using the Force Account approach at the Dar es Salaam Water and Sanitation Authority (DAWASA). Specifically, the study examined the influence of skills of staff, top management support, and financial resources, and their influence on successful project completion as measured by timeliness, budget adherence, and quality compliance. The study adopted an explanatory research design, collecting quantitative data. The study targeted a total population of 228 employees, from which a sample size of 145 respondents was determined using the formula developed by Yamane (1967) at a 5% margin of error. A total of 145 questionnaires were distributed to the selected respondents. Of these, 137 questionnaires were successfully returned, properly completed, and deemed suitable for analysis in this study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis. The regression model proved to be statistically significant (F= 9.054, p = 0.000) and accounted for 30.8% of variance in the project completion results (R² = 0.308). Staff skills came out as the leading determinant (β = 0.383, p = 0.001) with top management support being the second predictor (β = 0.317, p = 0.005). Whereas financial resources positively influenced project outcomes, this variable did not prove to be statistically significant (β = 0.185, p = 0.090). In conclusion, it is clear from this study that capacity building of staff and top management support will be vital interventions to consider for improving the Force Account project completion results at DAWASA. Other interventions to consider but which did not reach statistical significance include financial management, especially timely allocation of funds and controlling costs. This research recommends that there should be training programs aimed at improving the technical skills of DAWASA staff members; monitoring and evaluation activities involving the management should be encouraged; as well as improved budgetary and financial management.
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