Effect of Stakeholder Engagement on the Success of Construction Projects: A Case of the Asphalt Roads and Drainage Project in Rubavu District, Rwanda

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to examine the effect of stakeholder engagement on the success of the Asphalt Roads and Drainage Project in Rubavu District. Specifically, the study investigated the influence of engagement in project planning, assessed the impact during implementation, and evaluated the role of stakeholders in monitoring and evaluation regarding project performance. The study was grounded in Stakeholder Theory, Goal Setting Theory, Theory of Change, and the Resource-Based View (RBV) Theory to provide a comprehensive academic framework. A correlational research design utilising a quantitative approach was adopted to address the research problem. The target population consisted of 420 individuals, including technical staff, community leaders, and residents, from which a sample of 205 respondents was selected using the Slovin formula. Data were collected through stratified and simple random sampling techniques using structured questionnaires and documentation reviews. Quantitative data were analysed through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29 using inferential analysis, including Pearson correlation and multiple regression. The findings revealed that stakeholder engagement in planning had a positive and significant effect on the success of the Asphalt Roads and Drainage Project in Rubavu District, with B = 0.266, t = 4.750, and p = 0.000. Stakeholder engagement in project implementation also had a positive and significant effect on project success, with B = 0.401, t = 6.797 and p = 0.000. In addition, stakeholder engagement in monitoring and evaluation had a positive and significant effect on project success, with B = 0.372, t = 7.592, and p = 0.000. The study concluded that stakeholder engagement in planning, project implementation, and monitoring and evaluation significantly contributed to the success of the Asphalt Roads and Drainage Project in Rubavu District. The study recommended that Rubavu District authorities, project managers, and contractors should strengthen stakeholder participation across all project phases through regular consultation, clear communication, joint monitoring, and timely feedback mechanisms.