QUALITY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND PERFORMANCE OF TELECOMMUNICATION PROJECTS IN RWANDA A CASE OF TRANSAFRICA COMMUNICATIONS
Main Article Content
Abstract
The general objective of this study was to investigate the influence of quality management practices and performance of telecommunications projects in Rwanda. The specific objectives were to analyze the relationship between quality planning and performance of telecommunications projects in Rwanda, to examine the relationship between quality improvement and performance of telecommunications projects in Rwanda, to determine the relationship between quality assurance and performance of telecommunications projects in Rwanda and to evaluate the relationship between quality control and performance of telecommunications projects in Rwanda. This study encompassed a theoretical framework consisting of four prominent theories: Deming's Theory of Quality Management, the Theory of Constraints (TOC), the Juran Trilogy Theory, and the Contingency Theory. This study adopted a correlation research design, which is suitable for providing a detailed account of quality management practices and their impact on telecommunications project performance. The target population for this study consisted of 412 individuals directly involved in the execution and management of telecommunications projects at TransAfrica Communications in Rwanda. The study adopted Slovin’s formula to determine the appropriate sample size for quantitative data collection that was 203. Purposive sampling technique was used in the study. Both primary and secondary data was collected. While main data was gathered through questionnaires, secondary data from pertinent documents acquired from TransAfrica Communications was used in the research. The opinions of the respondents informed the research analysis and interpretations. Questionnaires, interviews, observation, application of various methodologies, and incentive were given to the respondents; each component resulted in the creation of a variable. Participants were asked to examine instruments for content validity and face-to-face validity by the researcher. The test-retest methodology was applied for reliability. The reliability of the instruments was determined using the Cronbach's coefficient. A test value of 0.700 was considered sufficient, and the instruments was deemed dependable. Tables and figures were used to present the quantitative data once it has been subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistical testing. Multiple regression is a component of inferential statistical tests, whereas percentages, frequencies, and counts are part of descriptive statical tests. Thematic analysis was used to examine the qualitative data, which were presented narratively with full citations. The results indicate that all the independent variables positively affect project performance, with Quality control having the highest impact (B = 0.379, p < 0.000). Quality planning (B = 0.219, p = 0.002), Quality assurance (B = 0.138, p = 0.001), and Quality improvement (B = 0.250, p < 0.000) also show significant positive relationships with project performance. The standardized beta coefficients highlight the relative importance of these predictors, with Quality control (β = 0.413) being the most influential, followed by Quality improvement (β = 0.228), Quality planning (β = 0.214), and Quality assurance (β = 0.163). In conclusion, the findings indicated that Quality planning, Quality improvement, Quality assurance, and Quality control all significantly contribute to enhancing project performance, with Quality control having the greatest impact. Based on these results, it is recommended that organizations prioritize implementing robust quality management practices, particularly in Quality control and Quality improvement, to optimize project outcomes. For future research, studies could explore the integration of other organizational factors influencing project performance or investigate the long-term impact of quality management practices across different industries.
Article Details
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