THE MEDIATING EFFECT OF TEAM COMMUNICATION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS IN NAIROBI METROPOLITAN AREA, KENYA

Abstract: Kenya faces a substantial shortage of affordable housing, especially in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area (NMA), where swift urbanization and population expansion have exceeded available availability. Notwithstanding governmental involvement via the Affordable Housing Programme, projects frequently encounter delays, budget overruns, and poor quality. The significance of project environment dynamics is acknowledged, although the mediating influence of team communication on project outcomes remains insufficiently explored. This study, informed by Shannon and Weaver’s Communication Theory, investigated the mediating influence of team communication on the efficacy of affordable housing projects in the NMA. The study encompassed 24 projects executed from 2017 to 2024, gathering data from 264 participants, including project managers, contractors, developers, architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, and construction managers. Structured questionnaires were employed, and the data were analyzed utilizing descriptive statistics, multiple regression, and mediation analysis in accordance with Baron and Kenny’s (1986) paradigm. Results demonstrated that project environment dynamics did not exert a direct influence on project performance. They substantially improved team communication, which consequently had a profound positive impact on project outcomes. Mediation analysis established that team communication completely mediates the association between project environment dynamics and project performance. The study concludes that efficient team communication is essential for enhancing the effectiveness of affordable housing initiatives. It improves coordination, decision-making, and conflict resolution, therefore reducing inefficiencies. The study recommends that policymakers and project managers to institutionalize organized communication frameworks, utilize digital platforms, and enhance stakeholder communication skills to optimize project execution and improves Kenya’s affordable housing development. Keywords: Team Communication, Project Performance, Affordable Housing, Project Environment Dynamics. Title: THE MEDIATING EFFECT OF TEAM COMMUNICATION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS IN NAIROBI METROPOLITAN AREA, KENYA Author: Erick Omulo, Lucy Ngugi, Lydiah Gachengo International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online) Vol. 13, Issue 3, July 2025 - September 2025 Page No: 315-325 Research Publish Journals Website: www.researchpublish.com Published Date: 30-August-2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17008404 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/the-mediating-effect-of-team-communication-on-the-performance-of-affordable-housing-projects-in-nairobi-metropolitan-area-kenya