An Investigation Into The Effects Of Generation Y Traits On Project Performance (A Case Study Of Road Construction Projects In Siaya County)

ABSTRACT

Each generation make their entry into the workforce with unique traits. In the current workplace, the newest entrants are the members of generation Y. The entry of this generation into the workforce has presented new challenges and opportunities to project managers. This study sought to investigate the effect of the unique traits generation Y are introducing into the workplace on project performance. In specific, this study sought to investigate the effect of technological knowledge of generation Y on project performance, to find out if the management style adopted on generation Y affects the performance of project and also to establish the effect of generation Y’s commitment level to an organization on the performance of a project. Using Mannheim generation theory which postulates that social consciousness and perspective of youth reaching maturity in a particular time and place is significantly influenced by the major historical events of that era that later shape their lives, the study reviewed literature to link the traits acquired by generation why to their performance in project implementation. The review formed a basis for a study that was carried out on road projects in Siaya County. The study employed a census of 56 supervisors and 4 project managers involved in the four road projects. The study employed the use semi structured questionnaires to obtain relevant information from four project managers and fifty six supervisors. The questionnaires were dropped to the respondents and later picked for analysis. With the aid of statistic packages, the researchers used descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages to present the results. The researcher also used comparison of means and chi squared tests the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. The study revealed that while generation Y has useful characteristics which can improve on project performance, the project managers are not well equipped to handle these traits which seem to be new and unique at the workplace. The study recommends that project managers improve on their communication and management style and that they provide gen Y with proper atmosphere for their innovation abilities if the full potentials of the generation are to be realized. The study recommends further research on the suitable communication and management styles the project managers need to adopt to accommodate Gen Y.