Contribution of Stakeholders Participation on Project Sustainability of Compassion International Rwanda’s Initiatives
Laurent Hategekimana & Thomas Tarus
University of Kigali
Email: hatelaur@gmail.com
Abstract: This study investigated the contribution of stakeholder salience on the sustainability of development projects implemented by Compassion International Rwanda. It used a descriptive research design, combining both quantitative and qualitative methods. The target population consisted of 363 individuals, with a sample of 190 respondents selected using Slovin’s formula, including staff from Compassion International Rwanda, local government authorities, NGO partners, educational institutions, and beneficiaries (heads of families). A total of 185 questionnaires were returned, yielding a response rate of 97%. Inferential analysis, conducted using SPSS software (version 21), revealed a statistically significant relationship between stakeholder salience and project sustainability, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of r = 0.786, indicating a strong positive relationship. Regression analysis further supported this, with a standardized beta coefficient of 0.870, demonstrating that stakeholder salience was a major predictor of project sustainability. The p-value of 0.000 signified the statistical significance of this relationship, suggesting that the effect of stakeholder salience on project sustainability was highly unlikely to have occurred by chance. The study concluded that stakeholder salience played a crucial role in the sustainability of projects at Compassion International Rwanda, with higher levels of stakeholder involvement contributing to more sustainable outcomes. Based on these findings, it was recommended that Compassion International Rwanda strengthen stakeholder engagement at every stage of project implementation. By actively involving stakeholders, particularly those with high salience, the organization could better align project goals with stakeholder needs, minimize conflicts, and enhance long-term project sustainability.
