Assessing the Determinants of Effective Force Account Implementation in Public Road Construction Projects in Tanzania

Abstract

This study assessed the determinants of effective Force Account implementation in public road construction projects in Tanzania. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design whereas primary data were collected through structured questionnaires from 120 respondents working on Force Account road construction projects in Ilala, Temeke, and Kinondoni districts of Dar es Salaam. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, reliability and validity tests, correlation analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression based on the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) estimation technique. The findings revealed that all four principal determinants significantly and positively influenced Effective Force Account Implementation, with Procurement and Project Management Practices exerting the strongest effect (β = 0.326, p < 0.001), followed by Institutional Capacity (β = 0.267, p < 0.001), Financial Capacity (β = 0.214, p < 0.001), and Resource Availability (β = 0.186, p = 0.002). Regarding the control variables, different levels of working experience, education and job position exhibited significantly higher perceptions of Effective Force Account Implementation than their respective reference categories, while the remaining control variables were not statistically significant. The study recommends strengthening institutional and technical capacity, ensuring timely financing of projects, improving procurement planning and supply chain coordination, investing in construction equipment and skilled personnel, and enhancing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to improve the efficiency, quality, and sustainability of Force Account road construction projects in Tanzania.