Assessment of the performance of small construction Enterprises undertaking construction projects: a case Study in jimma university agaro campus

Abstract

The construction industry is characterized by numerous projects that often experience significant time and cost overruns. These delays have detrimental effects on project success, including impacts on time, cost, quality, and safety. The existing literature has explored various aspects of construction project performance, including cost, time, and quality. However, there is a lack of research specifically focusing on small construction enterprises. This research aimed to assess the performance of small construction enterprises undertaking construction projects Jimma University Agaro campus. The general objective of the study was to assess the performance of small construction enterprises undertaking construction project’s in Jimma University Agaro Campus. The study utilized a mixed-methods approach, including both qualitative and quantitative techniques. A total of 76 participants selected from the project owner, consultants and contractors of construction projects were participated. Simple random sampling was used after the employees were stratified into project owner, consultants and contractors. Data were collected through various sources, including surveys, interviews, and document analysis. Both qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques were employed to analyze the data. Frequency tables were used to present the quantitative data. The measurement of time performance indicated that delays were primarily caused by factors such as poor coordination among project stakeholders and inadequate resource allocation. Finally, the study identified common challenges faced by small construction enterprises, including poor planning, limited access to resources, and insufficient communication and coordination. Cost overruns and time delays were observed. The identified factors contributing to these challenges include poor planning, inadequate resource allocation, lack of effective communication, and coordination among project stakeholders. To address the identified issues and improve the performance of small construction enterprises recommendations are made for responsible stakeholdrs.