Cherkos, F. D. and Kifle, K. T. (2026) Importance and interrelationship of stakeholder management critical success factors in Ethiopia mega construction projects. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 16(2), pp. 242-262. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this study is to identify, prioritize and develop a hierarchical structure of critical success factors (CSFs) for stakeholder management in mega construction projects, along with examining their interconnections. Design/methodology/approach – This study combines analytic hierarchy process (AHP), interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and quadrant analysis to analyze 37 CSFs for mega construction projects. Data collection through literature review and pilot studies identified the factors. An AHP survey with 60 respondents from 16 projects over 75% complete prioritized the factors, while an ISM survey with 50 respondents examined their interconnections. Purposive sampling was employed, and the data were analyzed using Excel for AHP and ISM software for ISM analysis. Quadrant analysis classified the results into actionable categories. Findings – The study identified key CSFs related to stakeholder management for mega construction projects, such as timely client decision-making, risk management and client project knowledge. Strong interrelationships were found between design complexity, project manager experience, leadership and contractor experience, all of which are crucial for aligning stakeholder interests and ensuring successful project outcomes. The quadrant analysis highlighted contractor experience, effective cost management and robust risk identification as the most critical factors influencing project success. Practical implications – By understanding the most crucial CSFs and how they relate to each other, stakeholders can prioritize key actions, leading to more effective decision-making and improved project outcomes. Originality/value – The findings provide actionable insights for prioritizing CSFs and improving stakeholder management, offering specific measures for each quadrant to enhance MCP success.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | importance and influence integration; interaction; mega projects; stakeholders management; success factors |
| Index terms: | integration, decision-making, methodology, construction project, complexity, key action, critical success factor, stakeholder management, survey, risk identification, success factor, Ethiopia, literature review, risk management, project knowledge, purposive sampling, interaction, project success, prioritizing, project manager, interpretive structural modelling, project outcome, cost management, critical factor |
| Subjects: | research methods, accounting and finance, production management, Geography, financial risk, behavioral psychology, project completion, knowledge management, project management theory and practice, organizational analysis, decision analysis, systems engineering, data collection methods, risk assessment, profession, control systems, participation process, data analysis and analytics, health monitoring assessment and metrics |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Information Management, Research Practice, Cost Management, Stakeholder Management, Roles and Professions, Engineering Principles, Geographical Context, Project Management, Health and Safety, Risk Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here