PERCEIVED EFFECT OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) ON PROJECT COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT IN SELECTED CONSTRUCTION FIRMS IN NAIROBI
Abstract
Purpose of the study: The study sought to establish the perceived effect of GIS on project communication management in selected construction firms in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was anchored on diffusion of innovation theory.
Statement of The Problem: Project communication management (PCM) is one of the most important but poorly managed aspects of the construction industry in Kenya. Statistical evidence illustrates the wider project delivery challenges associated with this problem
Research Methodology: An explanatory research design was employed. A census approach targeted 90 permanent employees from six selected National Construction Authority Category 1 construction firms. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire incorporating a five-point Likert scale, and 64 usable responses were obtained, representing a response rate of 71.1%. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis were conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, Version 25.
Findings: Respondents rated GIS favourably for enhancing stakeholder understanding through participatory visualisation (M = 4.63) and improving data accessibility (M = 4.06), while progress tracking received a lower rating (M = 3.02). Correlation analysis revealed a strong, positive and statistically significant relationship between GIS and project communication management (r = .671, p < .001). GIS also retained a positive and statistically significant association in the original multiple regression model after accounting for social media tools and robotics (B = .289, β = .368, p = .001).
Conclusion: The study concludes that favourable employee perceptions of GIS were associated with better project communication management, although its perceived benefits varied across applications.
Recommendations: The study recommends integrating regularly updated GIS dashboards into project communication systems, strengthening participatory spatial visualisation and providing practical GIS training, with emphasis on progress tracking. Future research should examine GIS implementation over time and account for the clustering of employees within construction firms.
Keywords: Geographic Information Systems, project communication management, spatial visualisation, construction firms, Nairobi County.
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