Importance and interrelationship of stakeholder management critical success factors in Ethiopia mega construction projects

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify, prioritize and develop a hierarchical structure of critical success factors (CSFs) for stakeholder management in mega construction projects, along with examining their interconnections. Design/methodology/approach This study combines analytic hierarchy process (AHP), interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and quadrant analysis to analyze 37 CSFs for mega construction projects. Data collection through literature review and pilot studies identified the factors. An AHP survey with 60 respondents from 16 projects over 75% complete prioritized the factors, while an ISM survey with 50 respondents examined their interconnections. Purposive sampling was employed, and the data were analyzed using Excel for AHP and ISM software for ISM analysis. Quadrant analysis classified the results into actionable categories. Findings The study identified key CSFs related to stakeholder management for mega construction projects, such as timely client decision-making, risk management and client project knowledge. Strong interrelationships were found between design complexity, project manager experience, leadership and contractor experience, all of which are crucial for aligning stakeholder interests and ensuring successful project outcomes. The quadrant analysis highlighted contractor experience, effective cost management and robust risk identification as the most critical factors influencing project success. Practical implications By understanding the most crucial CSFs and how they relate to each other, stakeholders can prioritize key actions, leading to more effective decision-making and improved project outcomes. Originality/value The findings provide actionable insights for prioritizing CSFs and improving stakeholder management, offering specific measures for each quadrant to enhance MCP success.