Assessment of The Influence Of Force Account Practices On Performance Of Construction Projects

Abstract

This study assessed the influence of force account practices on performance of construction projects in Njombe Town Council. An explanatory research design with quantitative approach was used. Primary data were collected through questionnaire instrument to a sample of 134 respondents, the sample was drawn from three primary schools and two secondary schools found in Njombe town that has been focal point of implementing building projects through force account. The empirical results show that the force account is agreed to be used in operating public building projects in Njombe District Council. Furthermore, respondents agreed with the the capacity building programs used in Force Account implementation which significantly explain a general view that public construction projects follows the principle of ensuring capacity building in use of force account. This finding implies that the use of force account in public building projects in Njombe Town Council is innovative practices that aims to ensure proper efficiency, inner ability to procurement, and cost reduction. The findings from this study revealed that the leadership ability, and alignment to different functions affects the effectiveness of public building by using force account as evidenced by 55.80%, 57.20% of the respondents respectively. The findings from this study revealed that the capacity building programs for force account implementers are training, new hires short courses, workshops, and learning among the employees which affects the effectiveness of force account implementation. This evidence reveals that the factors are more administrative, and resource based. The public building development especially the government at local administration level should continue ensuring that conducive environments are improved to foster the shift from traditional approach of financing construction to the use of force account by addressing the factors which constrain the implementation process.