Influence of Problem Solving Skills on Road Infrastructure Project Implementation in Kitui County of, Kenya
Mark Kitute Nding'o ORCID ↗ · Paul Gesimba ORCID ↗ · Joyce Mbaya ORCID ↗
International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science · 2026 · Vol. 15 / Issue 6 · 09-15
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Abstract
Road infrastructure is essential for socioeconomic development, market access and public service delivery. However, effective implementation requires leadership capabilities that address emerging challenges and operational constraints. This study examined the influence of problem-solving skills on road infrastructure project implementation in Kitui County, Kenya. The study was guided by Path–Goal Theory and adopted a positivist research philosophy and descriptive survey research design. The target population comprised 600 employees involved in planning, procurement, supervision, technical implementation and administration of road infrastructure projects within the Kitui County Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. Proportionate stratified random sampling was used to select 240 respondents. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 26. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation and simple linear regression were employed. Of the 240 questionnaires distributed, 175 were returned, representing a response rate of 72.9%. The findings revealed a positive and statistically significant relationship between problem-solving skills and road infrastructure project implementation (r = 0.640, p < 0.001). Regression results further indicated that problem-solving skills significantly predicted project implementation (β = 0.640, B = 0.707, p < 0.001), explaining 41.0% of the variation in implementation outcomes (R² = 0.410). The study concludes that problem-solving skills are important for addressing implementation challenges and improving road infrastructure project outcomes. It recommends that the County Government of Kitui strengthen leadership development through training in problem identification, analytical decision-making, adaptive responses and innovative problem-solving to support timely project completion, efficient resource utilization and compliance with required quality standards.
Keywords: {'name': 'Problem Solving Skills, Road Infrastructure, Project Implementation'}
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Mark Kitute Nding'o
Affiliation not supplied
Paul Gesimba
Affiliation not supplied
Joyce Mbaya
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