THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS IN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES MANAGEMENT

In ensuring an effective implementation and maximum impact of regional development projects and programmes, the element of Critical Success Factors (CSFs) should also be considered. East Coast Economic Region (ECER) is one of five regional economic corridors established in Malaysia to facilitate the socioeconomic transformation of this region towards becoming a high-income nation by 2025. East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) was established in 2008 as a statutory body under the East Coast Economic Region Development Council Act (Act 688) to drive the implementation of ECER Master Plan. ECERDC also came out with a list of CSFs that serves as a guidance to achieve all the expected goals. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of ownership at all levels, creation of ECER Development Council, complementation among ECER states, complementation of ECER towards other regional developments, and private and public sector partnerships in the implementation of various regional development programmes and projects by ECERDC. This study used qualitative method which utilized in-depth interviews with 10 key informants. The obtained findings demonstrated that ECERDC has practiced all five CSFs effectively and as a return, the implementation of various regional development programmes has brought positive outcomes to the organisation. The result should help understand which factors must be given priority by the stakeholders, especially in maximising the impact of the government development projects that benefit the local community.