FACTORS INFLUENCING IMPLEMENTATION OF BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH PROJECTS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN KENYA: A CASE OF KENYA MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
James Nguya - Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Prof. Christopher Gakuu - Department of Extra Mural studies, School of Continuing and Distance Education, University of Nairobi, Kenya
ABSTRACT
This research sought to assess the factors that influence biomedical research projects implementation in the public sector with reference to the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) biomedical research projects. The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors influencing biomedical research projects implementation in the public sector with reference to the Kenya Medical Research Institute. Specifically, the study examined the influence of resource availability, top management, organization structure and project team leader on biomedical research projects implementation in the public sector. The theories that underpinned this study include the resource based view theory, the empowerment theory and systems theory. A descriptive research design was adopted. The target population consisted of all the research and technical staff of the Kenya Medical Research Institute of the various cadres, from which a sample size of 211 was selected. The stratified random sampling technique was used to select the sample size for the study while simple random sampling was used in the picking of participants. This research further applied both primary and secondary data. The main tool to be applied for data collection to conduct this study was a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, mean score and standard deviation were estimated for all the quantitative variables. Inferential statistics such as Pearson correlation and multivariate regression were used to analyze the data. Correlation was used to generate results on the association between the variables while regression was used to generate results in the relationship between the independent variables on the dependent variable. Data was presented using frequency tables. The study found that a primary ingredient in successful project implementation is the style of the leadership in the institution. The study also found that there was sufficient and qualified manpower in all biomedical research projects. The study found that strategy implementation in the institution is supported by the existing power structure. The study found that there are clear lines of authority and accountability. The study concluded that resource availability had the greatest influence on the implementation of biomedical research projects at the Kenya Medical Research Institute, followed by management support, then project team leader while organization structure had the least influence on implementation of biomedical research projects at the Kenya Medical Research Institute. The study recommends that the government and government agencies with the help other central government agencies and the ministry of health should put in place measures that would ensure health grants from international governments are utilized for the implementation of intended biomedical research projects. The study further recommends that management in biomedical research projects should ensure that they employ and deploy qualified and competent individuals for project monitoring processes and implementing activities.