Monitoring, evaluation and public project success in central region: The role of professional ethics

Abstract

This study examined the role of professional ethics in the relationship between monitoring and evaluation, and project success among MMDAs in the Central Region. The theoretical foundation was built from the agency theory and the theory of change. In terms of methods, the study employed the positivist paradigm and the approach was quantitative. The design was explanatory and the population was planning officers, heads of works, auditors, budget officers, finance officers, social welfare and community development officers among MMDAs in Central Region. The sample size was 111 officers and the sampling technique was randomisation using excel. The data collection instrument was a structured questionnaire. The data processing software was SPSS version 25 and SmartPLs version 3; and the data analytical tool was the partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The study found that monitoring had a negative significant effect on public project success; and evaluation has positive significant effect on public project success. Also, the study found that professional ethics plays a positive significant moderating role in the relationship between monitoring and public project success. Lastly, the study found that professional ethics plays a positive significant moderating role in the relationship between evaluation and public project success even though it reduced the strength of the relationship. In view of the findings, it was recommended that policymakers should consider reviewing monitoring policies to strike a balance between oversight and project success; and that public project evaluation and ethical guidelines for public project management should be institutionalized as a mandatory practice within policy frameworks.