Effect of Project Communication Practices on the Performance of the Child Protection and Education Project Implemented by World Vision International in Rutsiro District, Rwanda

Jackline Ingabire; Ruth Odengo

doi:10.51867/ajernet.6.1.35

Authors

Jackline Ingabire
ingabirejacky2015@gmail.com
University of Kigali, Rwanda
Ruth Odengo University of Kigali, Rwanda

Keywords:

Child Protection, Education, Project Communication Practices, Project Performance

Abstract

This study examined the impact of project communication practices on the performance of a child protection and education project implemented by World Vision International Rwanda (WVIR). Specifically, to assess the effect of participatory communication on performance of a child protection and education project, to examine the effect of results-driven communication on the performance of a child protection and education project and to assess the effect of feedback mechanism communication on the performance of a child protection and education project in Rutsiro district. The theories guided this study are participatory communication theory, feedback intervention theory and goal-oriented communication theory. The study employed the descriptive and correlational research design. The target population was 142 people including project coordination staff, project team implementers, project promoters, project beneficiaries. The population was small and accessible; therefore, the census method was used. The data was collected using questionnaire and interview guide. The data was analyzed using qualitative and quantitative approches, including descriptive statistics and inferential statistics using SPSS version 25.0. Qualitative data was collected through interviews and analyzed based on responses. The findings revealed strong positive agreement with participatory communication (M=4.27), results-driven communication (M=3.75), and feedback mechanism communication (M=4.16). Regression analysis showed that for every one-unit increase in participatory communication, project performance increased by 1.354 units (p=0.000), while results-driven communication and feedback mechanisms had negative effects on performance, with decreases of -2.081 and -0.163 units respectively (p=0.000). These findings suggest that participatory communication significantly improves project performance, while results-driven communication and feedback mechanisms do not. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the project shares regular the project activities designed to foster trust and open communication among stakeholders and team members. Further, project should organize a regular communication training to equip project stakeholders with effective communication strategies for example how to provide feedback communication. Additionally, the project should encourage more proactive feedback through recognition programs and ensuring feedback.

Dimensions

REFERENCES

Abasenga, A. (2023). The communication difficulties for foreigners in Rwanda. Journal of Languages, Linguistics and Literary Studies, 3(2), 89-96. https://doi.org/10.57040/jllls.v3i2.462 DOI: https://doi.org/10.57040/jllls.v3i2.462

Akarika, D. C., Iwok, U. A., Afangide, N. G., & Akpan, E. O. (2023). Patterns of communication flow and organizational effectiveness in Local Government Councils in Nigeria. Sciences, 11(7), 44-62. https://doi.org/10.37745/gjahss.2013/vol11n74462 DOI: https://doi.org/10.37745/gjahss.2013/vol11n74462

Alexis, N. (2022). Enhancing Smallholder Farmers' Resilience through Effective Climate Communication Channels in Rwanda: a Case Study of Ruhango District (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).

Alves, J. L., Nadae, J. D., & Carvalho, M. M. D. (2022). Knowledge management enablers and barriers: exploring the moderating effect of communication barriers. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 15(7), 1091-1122.

https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-02-2022-0047 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-02-2022-0047

Aminahi, A. (2016). Participatory communication in small farmers' empowerment projects: A case study in Eastern Indonesia. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Education, 23(2), 145- 160.

Atstsaury, S., Hadiyanto, H., & Supian, S. (2024). Principal's strategy to improve teachers professional competence. Munaddhomah: Journal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 5(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v5i1.775 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v5i1.775

Bahati, B., Tedre, M., Fors, U. N. O., & Mukama, E. (2016). Exploring feedback practices in formative assessment in Rwandan higher education: A multifaceted approach is needed. International Journal of Teaching and Education, 4(2), 1-22.

https://doi.org/10.20472/TE.2016.4.2.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20472/TE.2016.4.2.001

Banach, M., Markham, S., Agaiby, R., & Too, P. (2018, May). 9‐4: Low Leakage Organic Backplanes for High Pixel Density Optical Sensors. In SID Symposium Digest of Technical Papers 49(1), 90-91. https://doi.org/10.1002/sdtp.12566 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/sdtp.12566

Banda Sr, T. (2023). Examination of Child Protection Practices in Primary Schools: A Case of Selected Primary Schools in Mzuzu City in the Northern Education Division of Malawi (Doctoral dissertation, Mzuzu University).

Barbosa, A. P. F. P. L., Salerno, M. S., de Souza Nascimento, P. T., Albala, A., Maranzato, F. P., & Tamoschus, D. (2021). Configurations of project management practices to enhance the performance of open innovation R&D projects. International Journal of Project Management, 39(2), 128-138.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2020.06.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2020.06.005

Beatty, L. (2019). The importance of communication in NGOs: Building trust and improving project efficiency. Journal of Humanitarian Affairs, 1(1), 1-10.

Browne, M., James, A., & Gocmen, A. (2021). Advanced communication practices in global businesses: A key to project success. Journal of Global Business Insights, 6(3), 89-102.

Bursali, N., & Öz, H. (2018). The role of goal setting in metacognitive awareness as a self-regulatory behavior in foreign language learning. International Online Journal of Education and Teaching, 5(3), 662-671.

Carvalho, M. (2023). Project communication tools: Facilitating effective information sharing. Journal of Project Management Research, 11(2), 45-58.

Cheah, C. (2020). Structured feedback on performance: The role of attitude and perceived usefulness. International Journal of Project Management, 38(5), 281-293. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12052101 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su12052101

Cheung, S. O., Yiu, T. W., & Lam, M. C. (2013). Interweaving trust and communication with project performance. Journal of construction engineering and management, 139(8), 941-950.

https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000681 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000681

Culo, L., & Skendrovic, M. (2010). The housing bubble and its repercussions: A communication perspective. Real Estate Economics, 38(4), 717-734.

Dan, K. (2020). Agriculture as a source of income in Rwanda: Economic impact and communication needs. Rwanda Economic Review, 12(2), 24-30.

Dufitumukiza, A., Ntakirutimana, E., Niyibizi, E., & Mukanziza, J. (2020). The nine year basic education policy and secondary school internal efficiency: A case study in Rwanda. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), 9(6), 202-212. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v9i6.907 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v9i6.907

Femi, A. F. (2014). The impact of communication on workers' performance in selected organisations in Lagos State, Nigeria. IOSR Journal of humanities and Social Science, 19(8), 75-82.

https://doi.org/10.9790/0837-19827582 DOI: https://doi.org/10.9790/0837-19827582

Gere, A. R. (2019). Goal-oriented communication theory: A framework for effective communication. Communication Research Trends, 38(1), 12-21.

Incio, F. A. R., Navarro, E. R., Arellano, E. G. R., & Meléndez, L. V. (2021). Participatory communication as a key strategy in the construction of citizenship. Linguistics and Culture Review, 5(1), 890-900. https://doi.org/10.21744/lingcure.v5nS1.1473 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21744/lingcure.v5nS1.1473

Jameson, K. (2022). Trust and reputation in NGOs: The role of communication strategies in the East African Community. Journal of Nonprofit Management, 15(4), 62-78.

Joslin, R., & Müller, R. (2015). Relationships between project communication, commitment, and performance. International Journal of Project Management, 33(6), 1357-1369.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2015.03.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2015.03.005

Joslin, R., & Ralf, B. (2021). Live communication in project management: Enhancing staff motivation and accessibility. Project Management Journal, 52(1), 15-29.

John, G., & Etika, D. N. (2019). Sustainable development through participatory communication: An assessment of selected community projects in Cross River State, Nigeria. Journal of Development Communication, 30(2), 60-71.

Kamuli, K. E. (2019). An exploration of drop-in among students who are at risk of dropping out of lower secondary school in Eritrea (Doctoral dissertation, UCL (University College London)).

Kernbach, S. (2015). The role of communication in project management. Journal of Business Communication, 52(3), 323-343.

Kluger, A. N., & DeNisi, A. (2022). Feedback interventions: Toward the understanding of a double-edged sword. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 18(3), 121-125.

Kwasnicka, D., Ntoumanis, N., & Sniehotta, F. F. (2021). Setting performance and learning goals is useful for active and inactive individuals, if goals are personalized and flexible: commentary on Swann et al. (2020). Health Psychology Review, 15(1), 51-55.

https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2020.1762107 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2020.1762107

Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (1984). Goal setting: Theory and practice. American Psychologist, 39(5), 454-456.

Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2021). Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey. American Psychologist, 56(9), 705-717. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0003-066X.57.9.705

https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.57.9.705 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.57.9.705

Lu, P., Cai, X., Wei, Z., Song, Y., & Wu, J. (2019). Quality management practices and inter-organizational project performance: Moderating effect of governance mechanisms. International Journal of Project Management, 37(6), 855-869.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2019.05.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2019.05.005

Maramura, T. C., & Shava, E. (2021). Ethics and accountability in municipal supply chain management in Zimbabwe. International Journal of Management Practice, 14(5), 621-635. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1504/IJMP.2021.10038972

https://doi.org/10.1504/IJMP.2021.117287 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1504/IJMP.2021.117287

Mayfield, J., & Mayfield, M. (2017). Leadership communication: Reflecting, engaging, and innovating. International Journal of Business Communication, 54(1), 3-11. https://doi.org/10.1177/2329488416675446 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2329488416675446

Mehmood, K. K. (2022). The Mediating role of Effective Communication between Organization Strategy, Structure, Culture and Organization Performance. Review of Education, Administration & Law, 5(4), 543-557. https://doi.org/10.47067/real.v5i4.289 DOI: https://doi.org/10.47067/real.v5i4.289

Menon, V., Varadharajan, N., Bascarane, S., Subramanian, K., Mukherjee, M. P., & Kattimani, S. (2020). Psychological autopsy: Overview of Indian evidence, best practice elements, and a semi-structured interview guide. Indian journal of psychiatry, 62(6), 631-643. https://doi.org/10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_331_20 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_331_20

Muniruddin, M., Hajji, Z., & Lauli, R. A. (2024). Participatory communication strategies for poverty alleviation in remote indigenous communities. Journal Studi Komunikasi, 8(1), 21-31.

https://doi.org/10.25139/jsk.v8i1.8053 DOI: https://doi.org/10.25139/jsk.v8i1.8053

Muragijimana, F., Oloo Ong'ong'a, D., & Irungu, F. (2024). Influence of Communication Strategies on Organizational Performance: A Case of the Office of the Auditor General of State Finances in Rwanda. African Journal of Empirical Research, 5(4), 197-215. https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.5.4.17 DOI: https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.5.4.17

Neumark, D. (2018). Experimental research on labor market discrimination. Journal of Economic Literature, 56(3), 799-866.

https://doi.org/10.1257/jel.20161309 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1257/jel.20161309

Njue, N. G., Mulwa, A. S., Kyalo, D. N., & Mbugua, J. M. (2019). Project implementation factors and performance of Jua-kali empowerment programmes in Nairobi, Kenya. European Journal of Marketing and Economics, 2(1), 54-61.

https://doi.org/10.26417/ejme-2019.v2i1-64 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26417/ejme-2019.v2i1-64

Ochieng, F. O. (2022). Effect of performance feedback system on employee performance in Kenya Forestry Research Institute (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).

Okinda, A. (2018). Transparency and accountability in NGOs: The impact of communication strategies. Journal of NGO Studies, 5(1), 73-89.

Ola-awo, W., Alayande, A., Olarewaju, G., & Oyewobi, L. (2021). Critical success factors for effective internal construction stakeholder management in Nigeria. Acta Structilia, 28(1), 1-31.

https://doi.org/10.18820/24150487/as28i1.1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18820/24150487/as28i1.1

Prakash Subedi, A., & Karki, T. (2022). Participatory communication for development and social change. Socio Economy and Policy Studies, 2(2), 57-60.

https://doi.org/10.26480/seps.02.2022.57.60 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26480/seps.02.2022.57.60

Santoro, S. (2022). Goal orientations and workplace informal learning strategies: the mediating role of intrinsic motivation. Journal of Workplace Learning, 34(6), 571-589.

https://doi.org/10.1108/JWL-11-2021-0143 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JWL-11-2021-0143

Tang, F., Chen, X., Zhao, M., & Kato, N. (2022). The Roadmap of Communication and Networking in 6G for the Metaverse. IEEE Wireless Communications, 30(4), 72-81.

https://doi.org/10.1109/MWC.019.2100721 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/MWC.019.2100721

Thoft, D. S., Pyer, M., Horsbøl, A., & Parkes, J. (2020). The Balanced Participation Model: Sharing opportunities for giving people with early-stage dementia a voice in research. Dementia, 19(7), 2294-2313. https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301218820208 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301218820208

Wentzel, K., & Skinner, E. (2022). The other half of the story: The role of social relationships and social contexts in the development of academic motivation. Educational Psychology Review, 34(4), 1865-1876. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-022-09713-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-022-09713-1

Wu, A. W., Connors, C., & Everly Jr, G. S. (2020). COVID-19: peer support and crisis communication strategies to promote institutional resilience. Annals of internal medicine, 172(12), 822-823. https://doi.org/10.7326/M20-1236 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7326/M20-1236

Yaddanapudi, S., & Yaddanapudi, L. N. (2019). How to design a questionnaire. Indian journal of anaesthesia, 63(5), 335-337.

https://doi.org/10.4103/ija.IJA_334_19 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/ija.IJA_334_19

Yeo, J., Knox, C. C., & Hu, Q. (2022). Disaster recovery communication in the digital era: Social media and the 2016 southern Louisiana flood. Risk analysis, 42(8), 1670-1685.

https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.13652 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.13652