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The Role of Leadership in Successful Project Implementation: A Case Study of Zambia Rural Development Agency (ZRDA)

Author

Listed:
  • Simon Nyimbili

    (University of Lusaka)

  • Ethel Tembo Mwanaumo

    (University of Lusaka)

  • Ester Munalula Nkandu

    (University of Lusaka)

  • Theresa Chalwe

    (University of Lusaka)

  • Erastus Mishengu Mwanaumo

    (University of Zambia)

  • Michael Kalumbu Nsefu

    (University of Lusaka)

Abstract

This study investigated the role of leadership in successful project implementation at the Zambia Rural Development Agency (ZRDA), addressing the critical gap in understanding leadership effectiveness within rural development contexts. The investigation was guided by five specific objectives: to analyze the predominant leadership styles and their correlation with project success rates, identify critical leadership competencies, assess project management challenges, evaluate the effectiveness of leadership development initiatives, and develop an improved leadership framework for ZRDA's rural development context. The study employed a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews and focus group discussions. With 156 participants. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 27.0 for quantitative analysis and NVivo 14 for thematic analysis of qualitative data. Findings revealed that transformational leadership demonstrated the strongest correlation with project success (r = .687, p

Suggested Citation

  • Simon Nyimbili & Ethel Tembo Mwanaumo & Ester Munalula Nkandu & Theresa Chalwe & Erastus Mishengu Mwanaumo & Michael Kalumbu Nsefu, 2025. "The Role of Leadership in Successful Project Implementation: A Case Study of Zambia Rural Development Agency (ZRDA)," African Journal of Commercial Studies, African Journal of Commercial Studies, vol. 6(6).
    • Handle: RePEc:cwk:ajocsk:2025-11
    DOI: 10.59413/ajocs/v6.i6.11
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Naqib Ullah Khan & Peng Zhongyi & Heesup Han & Antonio Ariza-Montes, 2023. "Linking public leadership and public project success: the mediating role of team building," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Tao Xiangxing & Jonathan Musonda, 2021. "The Styles of Leadership and Project Success Relationship in the Construction Industry of Zambia," International Journal of Sciences, Office ijSciences, vol. 10(06), pages 16-21, June.
    3. Bhatti, Sabeen Hussain & Santoro, Gabriele & Khan, Jabran & Rizzato, Fabio, 2021. "Antecedents and consequences of business model innovation in the IT industry," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 389-400.
    4. Muhammad Zeeshan Fareed & Qin Su & Najam Abbas Naqvi & Rida Batool & Muhammad Umer Aslam, 2023. "Transformational Leadership and Project Success: The Moderating Effect of Top Management Support," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(3), pages 21582440231, August.
    5. Gustavo Anríquez & Kostas Stamoulis, 2007. "Rural development and poverty reduction: is agriculture still the key?," The Electronic Journal of Agricultural and Development Economics, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, vol. 4(1), pages 5-46.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation
    • O22 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Project Analysis

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