Determinants of construction project delay and its effect on project beneficiaries: evidence from the Gurage Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract Construction projects play a vital role in improving socio-economic development through infrastructure provision, job creation, and facilitation of economic growth. However, delays in the implementation of these projects are a common problem that works against these benefits. In Ethiopia in...

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Main Authors: Endalkachew Kabtamu Mekonen, Tasew Shedaga, Matiyos Sahle
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-01-01
Series:Discover Civil Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44290-025-00163-6
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author Endalkachew Kabtamu Mekonen
Tasew Shedaga
Matiyos Sahle
author_facet Endalkachew Kabtamu Mekonen
Tasew Shedaga
Matiyos Sahle
author_sort Endalkachew Kabtamu Mekonen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Construction projects play a vital role in improving socio-economic development through infrastructure provision, job creation, and facilitation of economic growth. However, delays in the implementation of these projects are a common problem that works against these benefits. In Ethiopia in general, and the Gurage zone in particular, project delays have become a significant problem that needs a careful investigation of its root causes and effective policy responses. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the determinants of project delay and assess its socioeconomic effect on project beneficiaries in the Gurage zone, of Central Ethiopia. While regression analysis and relative importance index were used to identify project delay determinants, Key informant interviews (KII) and focus group discussions (FGD) were used to assess its socioeconomic effect on project beneficiaries. Poorly defined project scope, project control, and management, an incorrect estimate of project cost and schedule, bad economic conditions, political instability, lack of construction inputs, and inadequate communication have contributed to project delays. Project delays limit transport access, and increase unemployment, migration, disputes among project stakeholders, congestion on public service delivery, and health and health-related problems. Before approving a project, the soundness of the feasibility study should be properly checked. Project monitoring, follow-up, and control should be improved as a project implementation strategy. Beyond cost and time overruns, project sponsors consider the broader social and economic implications of project delays. This study contributes valuable insights that can inform project planning and management practices to mitigate delays and maximize socio-economic benefits for project beneficiaries.
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spelling doaj-art-efcf2234008d4b5db0a106163720e58a2025-02-02T12:42:16ZengSpringerDiscover Civil Engineering2948-15462025-01-012111810.1007/s44290-025-00163-6Determinants of construction project delay and its effect on project beneficiaries: evidence from the Gurage Zone, EthiopiaEndalkachew Kabtamu Mekonen0Tasew Shedaga1Matiyos Sahle2Department of Economics, Wolkite UniversityDepartment of Management, Wolkite UniversityDepartment of Construction Management Engineering, Wolkite UniversityAbstract Construction projects play a vital role in improving socio-economic development through infrastructure provision, job creation, and facilitation of economic growth. However, delays in the implementation of these projects are a common problem that works against these benefits. In Ethiopia in general, and the Gurage zone in particular, project delays have become a significant problem that needs a careful investigation of its root causes and effective policy responses. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the determinants of project delay and assess its socioeconomic effect on project beneficiaries in the Gurage zone, of Central Ethiopia. While regression analysis and relative importance index were used to identify project delay determinants, Key informant interviews (KII) and focus group discussions (FGD) were used to assess its socioeconomic effect on project beneficiaries. Poorly defined project scope, project control, and management, an incorrect estimate of project cost and schedule, bad economic conditions, political instability, lack of construction inputs, and inadequate communication have contributed to project delays. Project delays limit transport access, and increase unemployment, migration, disputes among project stakeholders, congestion on public service delivery, and health and health-related problems. Before approving a project, the soundness of the feasibility study should be properly checked. Project monitoring, follow-up, and control should be improved as a project implementation strategy. Beyond cost and time overruns, project sponsors consider the broader social and economic implications of project delays. This study contributes valuable insights that can inform project planning and management practices to mitigate delays and maximize socio-economic benefits for project beneficiaries.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44290-025-00163-6Construction projectSocio-economicHealthProject beneficiariesProject delayGurage zone
spellingShingle Endalkachew Kabtamu Mekonen
Tasew Shedaga
Matiyos Sahle
Determinants of construction project delay and its effect on project beneficiaries: evidence from the Gurage Zone, Ethiopia
Discover Civil Engineering
Construction project
Socio-economic
Health
Project beneficiaries
Project delay
Gurage zone
title Determinants of construction project delay and its effect on project beneficiaries: evidence from the Gurage Zone, Ethiopia
title_full Determinants of construction project delay and its effect on project beneficiaries: evidence from the Gurage Zone, Ethiopia
title_fullStr Determinants of construction project delay and its effect on project beneficiaries: evidence from the Gurage Zone, Ethiopia
title_full_unstemmed Determinants of construction project delay and its effect on project beneficiaries: evidence from the Gurage Zone, Ethiopia
title_short Determinants of construction project delay and its effect on project beneficiaries: evidence from the Gurage Zone, Ethiopia
title_sort determinants of construction project delay and its effect on project beneficiaries evidence from the gurage zone ethiopia
topic Construction project
Socio-economic
Health
Project beneficiaries
Project delay
Gurage zone
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44290-025-00163-6
work_keys_str_mv AT endalkachewkabtamumekonen determinantsofconstructionprojectdelayanditseffectonprojectbeneficiariesevidencefromtheguragezoneethiopia
AT tasewshedaga determinantsofconstructionprojectdelayanditseffectonprojectbeneficiariesevidencefromtheguragezoneethiopia
AT matiyossahle determinantsofconstructionprojectdelayanditseffectonprojectbeneficiariesevidencefromtheguragezoneethiopia