EFFECTS OF CONFLICTS ON PROJECT PERFORMANCE IN GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS IN KENYA

Abstract

Conflict is an inevitable part of the workplace and is part of everyday life. Conflicts are everywhere and they affect everyone directly or indirectly. When they are in organizations they affect the management, employees, and also customers. This study sought to establish the effects of conflicts on project performance in Government Institutions in Kenya. The objectives of the study were to establish the effect of role related conflicts on project performance in government institutions, to find out the effect of process conflicts in performance of projects in government institutions, to analyze the effect of relationship conflicts on project performance and determine the effect of interdependence conflicts on project performance. This study had a target population of 526 respondents. The population involved top managers, middle level managers, lower management, and employees. The study used descriptive research design. Data was collected using questionnaires. Data analysis and presentation was done by use of descriptive statistics. The analysis were done both quantitative and qualitatively to the closed and open ended questions. The study used the formula below to calculate the sample size:. The sample size therefore, was 165 respondents. The data was then displayed using charts through the use of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and MS Excel. Multiple linear regression model was used to get the linear relationship between the independent and the dependent variables. The results established that role conflicts, process conflicts and relationship conflicts have a significant negative effect on project performance. The study results however, established that relationship conflicts did not have a significant effect on project performance in the energy sector. The study recommends more study on the effect of conflicts on project performance in other sectors of the economy and upcoming companies in Kenya who are involved in massive projects cross-culturally. The study recommends other studies targeting the project team. The study also recommends another study on how to avoid the conflicts and, how to resolve the specific types of conflicts experienced.

Key words: Interdependence Conflicts, Process Conflicts, Project Performance, Relationship Conflicts, Role Related Conflicts