Managerial competence, change management practices and project cost management in youth livelihood projects in Pallisa district

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine how change management practices influence the association between management competences and project cost management of youth livelihood projects in Pallisa District Local Government. The study was premised on four core objectives; to examine the relationship between managerial competences and project cost management, to assess the connection between managerial competences and change management practices, to establish the association of change management practices and project cost management, and to determine the mediating role of change management practices on managerial competences and project cost management by anchoring the study on the Human capital theory and theory of planned behavior. A cross-sectional research design was employed, utilizing a quantitative approach with a sample size of 136 projects being drawn from a target population of 207 youth livelihood projects from Pallisa District Local Government. The data were collected using structured, closed-ended questionnaires and analyzed for reliability and validity using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The analysis further involved descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression testing for the direct relationships. To assess mediation, or indirect effect, the study utilized Hayes’ Process Macro model 4. The findings did not only reveal that managerial competences significantly predict change management practice and project cost management, change management practices significantly predict project cost management, but it also indicated that change management practice partially mediate managerial competences and project cost management. The study concluded that the direct relationship of managerial competences and project cost management can be further enhanced by effective project change management practices. In light of these findings, the study recommends that YLPs should focus and prioritize developing their managerial competence developments. This can be through training development programs targeting imparting of technical skills, financial acumen, and leadership competence.