PROJECT MANAGER’S SOFT SKILLS AND PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS IN FINTECH COMPANIES IN NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA

Annastacia Wangari Nyambura, Dr. Samson Paul Nyang’au

Abstract


Information technology (IT) projects in fintech companies have a profound impact on the economy, playing a pivotal role in driving growth, innovation, and financial inclusion (Mutua, 2019). In Kenya, many prominent Fintech companies face various issues like long fund-raising cycles, missed out targets, and increasing losses. The main objective of this study was to assess the influence of project manager’s soft skills on performance of IT projects in fintech companies in Nairobi County. Specifically, the study sought to assess the influence of managers’ team building skills on performance of IT projects in fintech companies in Nairobi county and to establish the effect of managers’ problem-solving skills on performance of IT projects in fintech companies in Nairobi county. The study used descriptive research design. This study targeted all fintech firms with operations in Nairobi which are 56 in total (FinTech, 2023). The unit of analysis was the 56 fintech companies while the unit of observation was 336 management employees working in the fintech companies. The study’s sample size was reached at using Krejcie and Morgan sample size determination formula. Using the formula, the sample size for the study was 179 respondents. The respondents were chosen with the help of simple random sampling technique. This study also used questionnaire to collect data relevant to this study. Quantitative data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques which are frequencies, mean, standard deviation. Inferential statistics which include Pearson correlation, and the Regression Analysis Model was used to test the relationship between study variables. The significance of the model was tested at 5% level of significance. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The study results were presented through use of tables and figures. The study concludes that managers’ team building skills have a positive and significant effect on performance of IT projects in fintech companies in Nairobi County. The study also concludes that managers’ problem-solving skills have a positive and significant effect on performance of IT projects in fintech companies in Nairobi County. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the management of fintech companies in Kenya should enhance their stakeholder management skills. Effective stakeholder management involves identifying, engaging, and maintaining positive relationships with all parties involved, including clients, team members, investors, and regulatory bodies

Key Words: Project Manager’s Soft Skills, Managers’ Team Building Skills, Managers’ Problem-Solving Skills


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