Project manager personality traits towards project success: Moderated role of working experience in perspectives of small public construction projects in Malaysia

Abstract

Project success requires organisations and project managers to change strategies to satisfy stakeholders. Research into project success needs comprehensive analysis and approaches in various contexts, especially touching on non-technical skills (personality). This study aims to focus on examining the association of Project Manager Personality Traits (PMPTs) to the success of Small Public Construction Projects (SPCPs) and moderated by working experience. A survey was carried out to collect data using a structured Big Five Inventory (BFI) and Project Success Achieved Instrument (PSAI) questionnaire. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used on a sample of 137 respondents for hypotheses testing and moderation effect analysis. Results show that PMPTs had a positive impact on the success of SPCPs. Conscientiousness (CT) and Agreeableness (AG) traits influence were more prominent when compared with other traits. While working experience does not moderate the relationship between PMPTs and the success of SPCPs. This study reflected the theoretical research of personality traits and their impact on the construction management industry. There have been limited studies of project success in the relationship with the BFI in the past, especially in the SPCPs context. The present study provides a basis for researchers interested in this area to examine further the use of BFI and PSAI as resources in other industries. Practically these findings may enable government or authorities to better align and suit project managers and their assigned project-based levels, where project managers are located in ministries overseeing small-scale projects. This study contributes theoretically to SPCPs literature by offering insights into project manager personality affecting project success and focus on selected agency in Malaysia.