FACTORS AFFECTING THE SUCCESS OF ROAD PROJECTS IN ADDIS ABABA CITY ROADS AUTHORITY.

Abstract

Construction industry plays a major role in development and achievement of the goals of society. In Ethiopia like other countries, construction industry is one of major industry contributing significantly in the growth of socio-economic development. Addis Ababa City Roads Authority is responsible for administration and construction of Asphalt surfaced and gravels surfaced Roads at the capital of Ethiopia. Yet, the organization has been challenged to deliver its projects efficiently. The general objective of this research is to examine factor affecting success of the project’s in Addis Ababa city roads authority. For this study Primary data were collected through administrative questionnaire and key informants interview. The sample populations were 157 which are selected from contractor, consultant and engineers and the quantitative part of the results were analyzed by using SPSS. Reliability analysis and Pearson correlation were made. The other method used was the interview that in turn helps to triangulate the result. The interview results were analyzed in a step by step thematic manner. Finally, both quantitative and qualitative findings were summarized, concluded and recommendations were given. The reliability of the scales and the correlation of variables were tested using the Cronbach’s Alpha and Pearson Coefficient. The study found that the four main factors that influenced success of road construction projects in Addis Ababa included capital availability, management skills, organizational culture and technical skills. Availability of capital is the greatest studied factor influence project success in Addis Ababa. The study found availability of capital has major positive correlation with success followed by managerial skill, Technical skills and the least factor is organizational culture and for better control over cost, time and quality contractors need to assign experienced employees and use of software (application) to plan, monitor and control. However, it was revealed that well-finance programmers, ground exploration, adequate allocation of budgets, complying with the contracts and continuous training and transfer of knowledge would help counter to these challenges. Therefore construction project should work to minimize the factor that affects the road projects by upgrading the above points to accomplish successful project.