Assessing the effect of construction delivery and lead time on the performance of local road contractors in Lusaka district, Zambia.

Abstract

Contactor's expertise and performance plays an important role in successful delivery of a project. While clients want to make the best decisions in selecting the right contractor for the job, a clear understanding of the underlying attributes associated with contractors' selection in the context of achieving successful project outcomes poses to be a critical issue. The purpose of the research was to establish whether Construction delivery and lead time have an effect on the performance of local road contractors in Lusaka. This research used the mixed method research methodology. The research was an evaluative in nature and followed the descriptive approach and was conducted in Lusaka district of Zambia. The research used a nonexperimental design to assess the effects of construction delivery and lead time on the performance of local road contractors in Lusaka city. The local road contractor’s performance was looked at from the perspective of quality of work and timely completion of projects. The sample consists of 54 respondents from local road contractors, chosen using data from National council of Construction, of Grade 1 to 4 of Road contractors in Lusaka and directors from government agencies using purposive sampling to select key informants. The data collected was quantitative in nature and was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), percentages and chi-square to establish the results to the study. Findings reviewed that there is an association between construction delivery and the quality of work and timely completion as well as between lead time and the quality of work and time timely completion of projects by the local road contractors in Lusaka. The research results further identified the following as reasons to why road local contractors are having challenges: (1) local road contractors lack professionalism in their operations. (2) Lack the financial capacity, human resource. (3) Lack of sufficient support from government. (4) The lack of expert skills and technical experience by road local contractors. Recommendations include: (1) Government to help to make the business environment conducive for local road contractors in order for them to compete favorable with foreign contractors. (2) A request for a call on government to amend the National Council for Construction Act No. 13 of 2003 so that it (NCC) can also regulate and punish all the erring contractors that do sub-standard jobs and those that abandon works before completion. (3) Government through its partners and stakeholders should provide financial schemes for the local road contractors to access loans, equipment and raw materials and the necessary technical support for them to compete favorable with foreign contractors.