EFFECT OF DIGITAL MONITORING ON PERFORMANCE OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: A CASE OF KABARNET AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS IN KENYA.

Government construction projects in Kenya continue to experience persistent challenges such as cost overruns, delayed completion, poor quality outcomes, and limited transparency in implementation despite significant investments in infrastructure development. These inefficiencies are often exacerbated by reliance on manual reporting systems and fragmented record keeping practices, which hinder real-time detection of project deviations and weaken accountability mechanisms. Although digital monitoring systems and modern project management technologies have been introduced in certain sectors to enhance project tracking and reporting, their integration into government construction practices particularly within affordable housing initiatives remains inconsistent. Empirical findings indicate that digital technologies can significantly enhance construction project performance. For instance, research conducted in Nairobi City County found that the adoption of selected digital technologies improved design coordination, project management, cost control, and quality outcomes in construction projects (Mungai, 2021). However, the broader adoption of such technologies across government projects continues to face challenges, including limited technical capacity, unclear implementation strategies, and resistance to change among stakeholders. While digital monitoring systems are intended to strengthen accountability, reduce corruption, and improve operational efficiency in public projects, there remains limited empirical evidence evaluating their direct impact on project performance outcomes, such as completion rates, cost control, and adherence to project schedules. Most existing studies focus primarily on the adoption of digital systems rather than assessing their measurable influence on project performance. For example, Mutangili (2025) examined Kenya’s Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) used in digital procurement and found that although it enhanced transparency and auditability, its effectiveness was constrained by uneven usage across counties, inadequate training, and inconsistent system utilization. Despite these insights, there is still limited systematic empirical evidence examining how digital monitoring systems influence critical performance indicators such as schedule adherence, expenditure management, and quality control in national and county government construction projects in Kenya. Furthermore, contextual challenges such as insufficient digital skills within the construction industry, resistance to technological change, weak policy and regulatory frameworks, and infrastructural limitations may moderate the effectiveness of these systems. However, these moderating factors have not been sufficiently examined in existing literature. This gap limits the ability of policymakers, government agencies, and project managers to make evidence-based decisions regarding investments in digital monitoring technologies for construction project management. Consequently, there is a need for a focused empirical study to evaluate the impact of digital monitoring systems on the performance of government construction projects in Kenya. Such a study will provide actionable insights that can support improved governance, strengthen accountability mechanisms, enhance service delivery, and promote more efficient and sustainable infrastructure development.肯尼亚政府建筑项目始终面临诸多长期存在的挑战：尽管在基础设施建设领域投入不菲，但仍屡屡出现成本超支、竣工延期、成果质量欠佳，以及实施过程透明度不足等问题。这类低效状况往往因依赖人工报告系统、档案记录碎片化的操作模式而加剧，进而阻碍了对项目偏差的实时侦测，削弱了问责机制。尽管部分领域已引入数字监控系统（digital monitoring systems）与现代化项目管理技术，以强化项目追踪与报告流程，但此类技术在政府建筑实践中的整合，尤其是在保障性住房（affordable housing）项目中，仍存在显著的不均衡性。 实证研究结果表明，数字技术可显著提升建筑项目的绩效表现。例如，内罗毕县（Nairobi City County）开展的相关研究显示，采用特定数字技术可优化建筑项目的设计协同、项目管理、成本管控与成果质量（Mungai, 2021）。然而，此类技术在政府项目中的全面推广仍面临多重挑战，包括技术能力不足、实施路径不明晰，以及利益相关方对变革的抵触情绪。 尽管数字监控系统旨在强化公共项目的问责机制、减少腐败现象并提升运营效率，但目前仍缺乏足够的实证证据来评估其对项目绩效成果——如竣工率、成本管控与项目进度合规性——的直接影响。现有多数研究主要聚焦于数字系统的采用情况，而非评估其对项目绩效的可量化影响。例如，Mutangili（2025）针对肯尼亚用于数字采购的综合财务管理信息系统（Integrated Financial Management Information System, IFMIS）开展了研究，结果显示尽管该系统提升了透明度与可审计性，但其效能受限于各县使用不均衡、培训不足以及系统应用不统一等问题。 尽管已有上述研究发现，但目前仍缺乏系统性的实证研究，来探究数字监控系统如何影响肯尼亚国家级与县级政府建筑项目的关键绩效指标，例如进度合规性、支出管理与质量管控。此外，建筑行业数字技能不足、对技术变革的抵触、政策与监管框架薄弱，以及基础设施限制等背景性挑战，可能会调节此类系统的效能，但现有文献尚未对这些调节因素展开充分探讨。 这一研究空白限制了政策制定者、政府机构与项目经理基于证据做出决策的能力，无法为建筑项目管理领域的数字监控技术投资提供参考。因此，亟需开展针对性的实证研究，以评估数字监控系统对肯尼亚政府建筑项目绩效的影响。此类研究将提供可落地的洞见，助力优化治理、强化问责机制、提升服务交付水平，并推动更高效且可持续的基础设施建设发展。