ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION MECHANISM AND PROJECT DELIVERY AT JOSEPH SARWUAN TARKA UNIVERSITY, MAKURDI

Abstract

This study examined the effect of alternative dispute resolution mechanism on project delivery in Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University (JOSTUM). The study specifically, examined the effect negotiation, mediation and arbitration on project delivery in JOSTUM. The study adopted survey research design with a population of 4700 staff of JOSTUM and sample of 369 respondents using Taro Yamane sampling formula. Structured questionnaires served as the major instrument for collecting primary data. Out of the 369 questionnaires issued out, 262 (71.0%) were retrieved for analysis. Descriptive statistics such as tables, frequencies and percentages were used for analysing and presenting demographic characteristics of respondents and results of responses to research instrument, while multiple regression analysis was used for test of hypotheses. Findings of the study revealed that negotiation (β = 0.384, t = 6.889, p = 0.000), mediation (β = 0.213, t = 3.897, p = 0.000 )and arbitration (β = 0.187, t = 3.329, p = 0.002) all have significant positive effect on project delivery in JOSTUM, Benue State, Nigeria. The study concluded that alternative dispute resolution mechanism has a significant effect on project delivery in JOSTUM. The study recommends among others that management of JOSTUM should adopt Mediation for it is generally less expensive than court proceedings, leading to cost savings that can be redirected to the project.

Keywords: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Negotiation, Mediation, Arbitration, Project Delivery