Effect of Resource Management on Implementation of Projects in Telecommunication Companies: A Case of MTN Foundation Project in Rwanda

Abstract

This study aimed at ascertaining how resource management influences implementation of projects in the telecommunication companies in Rwanda with a deliberate focus on the Global System of Mobile Communications (GSM) companies in Rwanda. The study specifically sought to assess the effect of the four facets of resources (Human resources, financial resources, time and technology) with regards to project management in telecommunication companies in Rwanda and to reveal the influence of appropriate resource management on successful project implementation. The four main objectives of the study were to determine the influence of human resource management, financial management, time management and technology management on implementation of projects in telecommunication companies in Rwanda. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The target population for this study comprised of 110 respondents which included 12 project managers, 30 engineers, 26 IT managers, 3 finance managers and 36 project team members from MTN involved in the day to day running of projects. Stratified random sampling was used to determine the sample size whereby 86 project team members were selected. The study used both primary and secondary data, where questionnaires was used for data collection. The questionnaires were hand-delivered to the respondents within reach and emailed to those who could not be reached within the appointed time. The responses were collected and emailed at an agreed date. Instrument's validity was checked by use of content validity and research instrument's reliability done using split half technique that obtained a coefficient of 0.869. Data was analyzed through organizing responses in the themes as per the objectives of the study. Descriptive statistics was used to show the trend between the variables. Frequency tables, Chi square tables and percentages were used to describe, organize and summarize collected data. The variables were subjected to correlation analysis and the Software Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze data. The ethical issues related to the study were addressed by maintaining a high level of confidentiality of the information given by the respondents. The study found that awareness on importance of resource management is carried out among telecommunication companies in Rwanda and that the four facets of project resource management (Human, Financial, Time and technology) to a great extent influence. All the factors had a significant p-value (p<0.05) at 95% confidence level. The significance values for relationship between Human resource management, Technology management, Financial resource management and time resource management were 0.018, 0.031, 0.024 and 0.046 respectively. The study also revealed that technology is still poorly managed as a great percentage of the respondents indicated that databases are managed manually and project management software are put to little use. The study recommended that the management should be realistic about the project scope, timelines and resources and in turn offer their support throughout the project life cycle to ensure projects succeed. The study also recommended that telecommunication companies in Rwanda invest more in project management software and also offer quality training to turn around the success rate of projects to admirable levels.