MODERATING EFFECT OF PROJECT SIZE ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RISK MANAGEMENT AND PROJECT PERFORMANCE OF COUNTY-FUNDED CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the moderating effect of project size on the relationship between risk management and project performance in county-funded construction projects in Nakuru County, Kenya, with the aim of understanding how project scale influences the effectiveness of risk management strategies.   Theoretical Framework: The study is grounded in the Theory of Constraints (TOC) and its project management application through Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM). These frameworks provide a foundation for understanding how project constraints and bottlenecks affect performance, particularly in relation to project size and risk management effectiveness.   Method: The research adopted a pragmatic philosophy with a mixed-methods approach, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. The study employed a predictive research design with a sample of 198 construction projects and 314 stakeholders, including contractors, project engineers, and managers. Data was collected through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews.   Results and Discussion: The findings revealed that project size significantly moderates the relationship between risk management and project performance, accounting for an additional 2.9% variance in project performance (ΔR² = .029, p