Stakeholder participation and project performance: Insights from the Soroti Catholic Diocese projects in Teso region of Uganda
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51867/AQSSR.2.4.38Keywords:
Project Performance, Stakeholder Participation, Soroti Catholic Diocese, UgandaAbstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of stakeholder participation on project performance in Soroti Catholic Diocese in Uganda. The study was guided by the stakeholder theory and adopted a cross-sectional survey research design that involved a purely quantitative approach. Using the Morgan table, a sample of 100 respondents was selected using stratified sampling from a population of 132. Quantitative data was collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS Version 25.0. Quantitative results in the form of descriptive statistics, correlations, and regressions were presented using tables. The results indicated that stakeholder participation had a strong positive influence on project performance (r = 0.721 and p = 0.00 ≤ 0.01). The study concluded that stakeholder participation significantly enhances project performance within the Soroti Catholic Diocese. When stakeholders are engaged throughout the project's planning, implementation, and monitoring phases, they contribute local knowledge, feedback, and innovative ideas, which enhances the quality of project outputs. The study recommends that the Diocese should strengthen and promote active stakeholder participation practices in order to achieve improved performance of the projects' outcomes.
References
Aaltonen, K., & Kujala, J. (2016). Towards an improved understanding of project stakeholder landscapes. International Journal of Project Management, 34(8), 1537-1552.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2016.08.009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2016.08.009
Aguinis, H. (2023). Performance management. Sage Publications.
Atkinson, E., Spillane, J., Bradley, J., & Brooks, T. (2022). Challenges in the adoption of mobile information communication technology (M-ICT) in the construction phase of infrastructure projects in the UK. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 40(3), 327-344.
https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBPA-04-2021-0048 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBPA-04-2021-0048
Bagenda, B., & Ndevu, Z. (2024). Principal risks associated with public-private partnership projects in Uganda. Public Works Management & Policy, 29(2), 183-230.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1087724X231167326 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1087724X231167326
Baharuddin, H. E. A., Che Ibrahim, C. K. I., Costello, S. B., & Wilkinson, S. (2017). Managing stakeholders through alliances: A case study of a megaproject in New Zealand. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers-Management, Procurement and Law, 170(4), 151-160. https://doi.org/10.1680/jmapl.17.00004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1680/jmapl.17.00004
Bahrami, S., Negreira, J., Olander, S., & Landin, A. (2018). Communicating the acoustic performance of innovative HVAC solutions. In Cold Climate HVAC Conference (Vol. 1, No. 4, pp. 1085-1095). Springer International Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-00662-4_91 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-00662-4_91
Barney, J. B., Freeman, R. E., Harrison, J. S., & Phillips, R. A. (2019). Stakeholder theory. The Cambridge Handbook of Stakeholder Theory, 1(1), 3-18. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108123495.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108123495.001
Bassi, A. (2017). Project management body of knowledge in the context of PMI and ISO. In Knowledge and project management: A shared approach to improve performance (Vol. 1, No. 5, pp. 53-67). Springer International Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51067-5_3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51067-5_3
Bobae, K. (2024). Role of stakeholder engagement in enhancing project outcomes in construction projects in Korea. International Journal of Project Management, 6(3), 13-24.
Chrispeels, J., Gonzalez, M., & Edge, K. (1984). Uniting for reform: The power and importance of bringing all shareholders to the table. Freeman, 1(1), 25-54.
El-Naway, O., Mahdi, I., Badwy, M., & Al-Deen, A. G. (2015). Developing methodology for stakeholder management to achieve project success. International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 4(11), 10651-10660.
Fisher, W. O. (2023). Getting serious about stakeholders. Missouri Law Review, 88, 955.
Franklin, A. L. (2020). Identifying stakeholders. In Stakeholder engagement (Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 19-42). Springer International Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-47519-2_2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-47519-2_2
Funkhouser, E., Mungia, R., Laws, R., Nyongesa, D. B., Gillespie, S., Leo, M. C., McBurnie, M. A., Gilbert, G. H., & Group, N. D. P. C. (2025). Participation rates in 11 national dental practice-based research network surveys 2014-2022. Evaluation & the Health Professions, 48(2), 242-255.
https://doi.org/10.1177/01632787241259186 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/01632787241259186
Haar, K. (2024). Impact of stakeholder engagement strategies on project success in Cameroon. International Journal of Project Management, 6(1), 14-25. https://doi.org/10.47672/ijpm.1838
Iyiola, A. O., Akingba, O. O., Alimi, S. K., Akinsorotan, A. M., Osei, S. A., Idowu, C. F., Izah, S. C., & Ogwu, M. C. (2025). Impact assessment of biobased products in the global south. In Sustainable bio economy development in the global south (Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 431-453). Springer.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-0305-3_16 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-0305-3_16
Karrer, T., Peichl, M., & Dill, S. (2024). Analysis of fine building structures using radar. In 2024 15th German Microwave Conference (GeMiC) (Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 237-240).
https://doi.org/10.23919/GeMiC59120.2024.10485316 DOI: https://doi.org/10.23919/GeMiC59120.2024.10485316
Laetitia, B. I., & Amolo, A. E. J. (2025). Stakeholder empowerment strategies and community development project performance. International Journal of Finance & Banking Studies, 14(1), 157-165. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijfbs.v14i1.4000 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20525/ijfbs.v14i1.4000
Lalam, E. Y. (2018). Stakeholder engagement, community participation, stakeholder commitment and project sustainability: A case of rural water supply and sanitation projects in Jinja District [Unpublished master's dissertation]. Makerere University Business School. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12282/3205
Lassiter, J. W., & Campbell, A. L. (2023). Perceived effectiveness of study skills training for Division III college athletes: A pilot program. Journal of Athlete Development and Experience, 5(1), 3.
https://doi.org/10.25035/jade.05.01.03 DOI: https://doi.org/10.25035/jade.05.01.03
Maina, S. M., & Kimutai, G. (2021). Stakeholder management and project performance of open air market projects in Nyeri County, Kenya. IOSR Journal of Business and Management, 20(7), 47-56. https://doi.org/10.9790/487X-2007014756
Matsiko, J. M., Nduhura, A., Settumba, J. P., Phuyal, M., & Motadi, S. M. (2024). Stakeholder involvement in project planning and performance of road construction projects in Uganda: A case of Uganda National Roads Authority. African Journal of E-Commerce, Logistics and Transport Studies, 1(2), 69-91.
https://doi.org/10.31920/3050-2330/2024/v1n2a4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31920/3050-2330/2024/v1n2a4
Mwesigwa, D. (2022). Rewarding or sanctioning performance? A critique on group dominance and counter-group dominance in public organizations. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 2(1), 65-78. https://doi.org/10.35912/jgas.v2i1.1116 DOI: https://doi.org/10.35912/jgas.v2i1.1116
Nasaazi, A. (2022). An inquiry into the challenges facing arbitration practice in the construction industry in Uganda: A study of industry players in Kampala [Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi].
Rajab, O. I. (2022, September 27-29). Lean construction. In 8th Jordan International Civil Engineering Conference on Smart Civil Engineering (pp. 1-9). Amman, Jordan.
Reed, M. S., Vella, S., Challies, E., De Vente, J., Frewer, L., Hohenwallner‐Ries, D., Huber, T., Neumann, R. K., Oughton, E. A., & Sidoli del Ceno, J. (2018). A theory of participation: What makes stakeholder and public engagement in environmental management work? Restoration Ecology, 26(S1), S7-S17.
https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.12541 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.12541
Sang, D. K., Komen, J., & Korir, M. (2017). Effect of strategic change management on performance of large and medium hotels in Nairobi County, Kenya. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, 4(5), 667-681.
Serrador, P., & Turner, R. (2015). The relationship between project success and project efficiency. Project Management Journal, 46(1), 30-39. https://doi.org/10.1002/pmj.21468 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/pmj.21468
Signori, S. (2017). From "managing for stakeholders" to "managing with stakeholders": When stakeholders can help rescue a company. In Stakeholder engagement: Clinical research cases (Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 167-192). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62785-4_8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62785-4_8
Simard, M., & Aubry, M. (2025). The project management office's active participation in a digital transformation: A trajectory full of twists and turns. Project Management Journal, 56(1), 124-140.
https://doi.org/10.1177/87569728241242029 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/87569728241242029
Tor, M. A., & Gambo, N. (2024). A systematic review of stakeholders' engagement as a critical tool for effective project performance. Journal of Project Management, 4464(8), 324-330.
https://doi.org/10.36349/easjebm.2024.v07i08.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36349/easjebm.2024.v07i08.003
Wall, W. P. (2021). Determinants of SMEs' performance-from business strategy to innovation. Polish Journal of Management Studies, 23(2), 537-554. https://doi.org/10.17512/pjms.2021.23.2.32 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17512/pjms.2021.23.2.32
Wanyonyi, R., Mokaya, S., & Lango, B. (2023). Influence of stakeholders' participation on performance of national agricultural and rural inclusive growth program in Kenya. Journal of Economics, Management Sciences & Procurement, 3(6), 152-165.
Yang, R. J., Jayasuriya, S., Gunarathna, C., Arashpour, M., Xue, X., & Zhang, G. (2018). The evolution of stakeholder management practices in Australian mega construction projects. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 25(6), 690-706.
https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-07-2016-0168 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-07-2016-0168
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 African Quarterly Social Science Review

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.












