Investigating the success of rural infrastructure development projects in Vietnam
Creators: name: Pham, Xuan Hung
Publisher: name: RMIT University
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 441001
subject: Applied sociology, program evaluation and social impact assessment

description: Rural infrastructure development (RID) projects can potentially contribute significantly to rural economic growth and poverty reduction and have therefore, received a high priority in the Vietnam development strategy. However, despite significant spending on RID projects over the past two decades, much rural infrastructure in Vietnam is of poor quality. This study, therefore, aims to develop a better understanding of how to judge the success of RID projects and factors that influence the success of RID projects in Vietnam.<br><br>Previous researchers have attempted to clarify project success criteria and project success factors. However, the definition of project success remains ambiguous, and there is a lack of agreement on the success factors. This is because project success is viewed from different perspectives by different stakeholders, and different types of projects may have various sets of success factors.<br><br>A mixed research methods was adopted in this research. Based on the literature review and findings from case studies in the first phase, a conceptual framework was developed for the survey phase. Multivariate analysis was utilised to establish the framework for judging the success of RID projects and to identify the links between success factors and success criteria. <br><br>The results demonstrated that stakeholders’ perceptions of RID project success are closely linked to the values held by stakeholders. The focus of project implementers was on ensuring the production of planned RID project outputs, while local beneficiaries were more interested in the impacts of infrastructure facilities once operational. By way of contrast, the project sponsors assessed the success of RID projects from a broader perspective, emphasising not only the relevance and efficiency of projects but also the ultimate public utility of infrastructure facilities.<br><br>The results of factor analysis reduced a set of fifteen success criteria for RID projects to three components namely ‘meeting users’ needs’, ‘sponsors’ satisfaction’ and ‘community impacts’. Twenty six factors influencing the success of RID projects were clustered into five components labelled ‘project management performance’, ‘community involvement’, ‘communication and staff competence’, ‘contract management’ and ‘resource availability/government supports’. All five success factor components significantly influenced one or more of the success criteria. In particular, ‘project management performance’, ‘contract management’ and ‘resource availability/government supports’ made a positive contribution to ‘meeting users’ needs’ and ‘sponsors’ satisfaction’ whereas ‘community involvement’ and ‘communication and staff competence’ had positive influences on ‘meeting users' needs’ and ‘community impacts’.<br><br>This study contributes to existing knowledge by providing an understanding of RID project success from the varied perspectives of different stakeholders. It also identifies factors that need to be focused on when managing RID projects. The research also demonstrates better approaches of respondent selection and data collection to overcome the limitations of previous project management research.