Title: Project Managers` Knowledge And Project Success Of Hargeisa Water Agency, Somaliland
Authors: Shafie Ali Salad and Mustafe Mahamoud Abdillahi
Volume: 9
Issue: 10
Pages: 472-480
Publication Date: 2025/10/28
Abstract:
This study investigated the relationship between project managers' knowledge and project success at the Hargeisa Water Agency (HWA) in Somaliland. Guided by Contingency Theory, the research tested the null hypothesis that no significant relationship exists between these variables. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 186 respondents via questionnaires, and qualitative insights were gathered through interviews with eight participants. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The findings revealed a very high level of stakeholder agreement (Composite Mean = 4.23) on the critical importance of project managers' knowledge. The correlation analysis demonstrated a strong, positive, and statistically significant relationship between project managers' knowledge and project success (r = .685, p = .000), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. The results validated Contingency Theory, indicating that project success was not driven by generic knowledge but by managers' context-specific, or contingent, knowledge-particularly their ability to navigate external stakeholder landscapes, adapt to local constraints, and make judicious decisions within the unique socio-economic and environmental context of Hargeisa. The study concluded that enhancing this contingent knowledge is fundamental to improving project outcomes. It recommended targeted training, revisions to human resource policies, and dedicated funding for capacity building to strengthen project performance and water service delivery.