EFFECT OF PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY ON SUSTAINABILITY OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN RWANDA: THE CASE OF TRICOM EAST AFRICA

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of professional integrity on the sustainability of construction projects in Rwanda, with a case study of Tricom East Africa. The research explores the relationship between ethical practices, transparency, and accountability, and their impact on the long-term success and sustainability of construction initiatives. The study utilized descriptive survey design, employing both quantitative and qualitative methods for data collection. Quantitative data was gathered through surveys administered to various stakeholders, while qualitative insights are obtained via semi-structured questionnaire. Documentary analysis supplemented the primary data. Questionnaires were used to collect primary data and a documentary review was applied for collecting secondary data. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis with use of frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation, and inferential statistics by the use of multiple linear regression analysis. The presentation of findings was done using tables, the pilot test was performed to ensure the validity and reliability of instrument used in data collection. The findings reveal that professional integrity has a moderate positive impact on project sustainability, as indicated by an R value of 0.327 and an R Square of 0.107, meaning that professional integrity accounts for 10.7% of the variance in project sustainability. The ANOVA results show that the model is statistically significant, with an F-value of 9.309 and a p-value of 0.003, confirming that professional integrity significantly predicts sustainability outcomes. The regression analysis further demonstrates that for every one-unit increase in professional integrity, project sustainability improves by 0.351 units, with a t-value of 3.051 and a p-value of 0.003, reinforcing the importance of ethical conduct in enhancing the sustainability of construction projects. The study concludes that professional integrity significantly contributes to the sustainability of construction projects, reinforcing the importance of ethical practices in ensuring long-term project success. The study recommends that construction companies, particularly in Rwanda, should prioritize enhancing professional integrity through strict adherence to ethical guidelines and accountability measures to improve the sustainability of their projects.