The mediating role of stewardship behaviour on leadership competencies and sustainability of government projects in developing economies

Purpose Project sustainability aims at ensuring that institutions are supported through projects and the benefits realised are maintained and continue after the end of the project. This study looks at how leadership competencies (LC) influences sustainability of government projects (SGP) to achieve sustainability goals. The study examines the mediating effect of stewardship behaviour on LC and SGPs in developing economies. Design/methodology/approach The study collected numerical data using a cross-sectional survey design to investigate the phenomena of SGPs at a specific point in time. Data for the study were gathered from 108 projects in the Ministries of Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Industry as well as Ministry of Health. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, and the projects were selected using a simple random sampling technique. The study used regression and process macros model 4 to determine the direct, indirect and total effects. Findings The study findings showed a significant effect of the SGPs on LC. Stewardship behaviour had a significant effect on LC. The findings also showed a significant effect of the SGPs on stewardship behaviour. Lastly, the effect of LC on the SGPs was significantly mediated by stewardship behaviour, confirming that stewardship behaviour is an inherent resource that needs to be prioritised to improve the SGPs in developing countries. Originality/value There is growing criticism among nongovernmental organisations and environmental groups that national governments and international funding agencies prioritise the economic sustainability and viability of their projects over the impact of project sustainability on more general development issues, like the environment or the conditions of the most impoverished segments of society. The SGP considerations is being replaced by more general sustainable development concerns. The research fills in these knowledge gaps in the field of project management with a focus on SGPs through integrating stewardship behaviour and LC as predictors. Stewardship behaviour is a vital resource for improving the SGPs in developing nations.