Determinants Of Project Performance In National Pride Projects Of Nepal: Evidence From Delayed Projects

Abstract

Nepal’s National Pride Projects (NPPs) face persistent delays and cost overruns, yet limited evidence exists on how managerial, technical, financial, and institutional determinants collectively shape outcomes. This study examined key predictors of project performance (PP_overall) using a cross-sectional survey of 80 stakeholders (clients, consultants, contractors) from irrigation, hydropower, transport, water supply, and corridor projects. Constructs included Lack of Adequate Planning (LAP), Managerial Quality (MQ), Resource Availability (RA), Financial Factors (FF), Bidding Adequacy (BA), Technical and Organizational Risks (TOR), Technology Adoption (TA), and Unrealistic Requirements (UR). All scales were reliable (α ≥ .70). Multiple linear regression modeled PP_overall as the dependent variable. The model demonstrated strong explanatory power (R² = 0.617; F (7, 72) = 16.55, p < .001). Significant positive predictors of PP_overall were MQ (B = 0.6136, p < .001), RA (B = 0.4221, p < .001), FF (B = 0.3194, p = .005), and BA (B = 0.3221, p = .002), while LAP (B = –0.3533, p = .001) and TOR (B = –0.3571, p < .001) negatively influenced outcomes. TA (B = 0.1388, p = .124) and UR (B = –0.0583, p = .534) were not significant. Results suggest that project success in NPPs hinges on Managerial quality, resource adequacy, financial stability, and effective procurement, while weak planning and unmanaged risks are major obstacles. Strengthening feasibility studies and risk assessments, enforcing Managerial quality standards, ensuring timely resource and fund mobilization, professionalizing procurement, and scaling digital tools (e-procurement, BIM, GIS) through institutional support are essential to improve project delivery.