The role of project managers’ attributes in project sustainability management and project performance under China-Pakistan economic corridor

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Zaheer Hashim ◽  
Liu Chao ◽  
Chao Wang
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Project Performance ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Project Manager ◽  
Sustainability Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Upper Echelon Theory ◽  
Top Managers ◽  
Project Sustainability ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Steered by upper echelon theory, this study aims to scrutinize the prevalence of project manager demographic factors (age, education and experience) in project sustainability management and project performance. Design/methodology/approach We used a sample of 209 project managers/supervisor/team leaders who were working in the projects of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Findings The results indicate that project manager demographic factors have a significant influence on project performance (except experience) and project sustainability management. Moreover, project sustainability management partially mediates the relationship between age, education and project performance while it fully mediates the path between experience and project performance. Practical implications The research recommends senior, high educated and experienced managers for CPEC who promote sustainability and gain high project performance. Originality/value A number of studies have been carried out to assess the relationship between top managers’ attributes and environmental activities. However, so far, none of the studies has paid attention to the CPEC and projects working in Pakistan.

scholarly journals Project risk management practices: the organizational maturity influence

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 187-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Crispim ◽  
Luiz Henrique Silva ◽  
Nazaré Rego
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Project Performance ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Project Risk Management ◽  
Project Risk ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Project Complexity ◽  
Risk Practices ◽  
Organizational Maturity ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify patterns of project risk management (PRM) practices’ adoption, and provides empirical evidence concerning the importance (and key attributes) of organizational PRM maturity to the use of risk-related practices and project performance.Design/methodology/approachThe research involved two phases: interviews with five project managers, and a worldwide survey of project managers that resulted in the analysis of 865 valid questionnaire responses. Cluster analysis was used to classify PRM practices’ use, factor analysis to detect the structure of the relationship between the variables measuring PRM practices’ use and a multiple regression analysis (with canonical correlation) to further reveal the different degrees to which PRM practices and organizational maturity are associated.FindingsThe identified patterns of risk practices’ adoption indicate that different contexts of organization PRM maturity and project complexity influence practices selection. The PRM practices related with targets (e.g. time-phased budget plan) are the most used, and those related to tools and techniques (e.g. S-curve) are the least used. Additionally, the obtained results confirm that organizational PRM maturity influences risk practices’ usage, moderated by project complexity, and organizational PRM maturity influences project performance.Originality/valueEmpirical methods were used to investigate the relationship between organizational PRM maturity and a large set of PRM practices with project complexity as a moderator. Gaps in the use of PRM practices (i.e. areas where more PRM knowledge and training are needed) were identified. Finally, this work identifies the attributes of organizational maturity with implications in practices’ usage and project performance.

An empirical examination of the relationship between adult attention deficit and the operational effectiveness of project managers

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 583-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme Coetzer
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Project Manager ◽  
Symptom Clusters ◽  
Project Teams ◽  
Operational Effectiveness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multimodal Management ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between adult attention deficit (AAD) and the operational effectiveness of project managers (OEPM). Design/methodology/approach – In total, 160 actively employed business graduate students participated in a business course where they were assigned to four person project teams responsible for completing a major business project. The project contained four sub-projects each of which was managed by a different team member. At the end of the semester each team member rated the others on their operational effectiveness as a project manager. Each subject identified a close associate who completed an observer version of the Brown Attention Deficit Scale. Product moment correlations were used to test the hypotheses that AAD and each of the symptom clusters are negatively associated with OEPM. Simultaneous linear regression was used to test the hypothesis that difficulties activating and organizing to work (DAOW) is uniquely associated with OEPM after controlling for the influence of all the other symptom clusters. Findings – AAD and each of the symptom clusters is negatively associated with OEPM, and DAOW is uniquely associated with OEPM. Research limitations/implications – Research study is limited by use of an indirect work sample (working graduate students) and future research requires direct workplace samples of project managers. The influence of creativity within the relationship between AAD and project management effectiveness requires further investigation and may reveal beneficial aspects of the disorder. Practical implications – Individuals and organizations wanting to ensure timely and successful completion of key tasks and projects need to be aware of the influence of AAD on OEPM. The provision of intensive project management training/coaching, regular performance feedback, project management tools and an organized work space free of distractions is suggested for disordered project managers. Disordered project managers are especially vulnerable during the task activation and organization phase which may be addressed through the use of peer coaching and constructive team support. The effective design and management of project teams represents a significant opportunity for distributing the potential creative benefits of the disorder while managing the deficits. Pairing disordered employees with coworkers who are less creative but have better administrative skills may be mutually beneficial. Employee assistance programs that raise awareness and provide access to assessment are an important part of multimodal management of the disorder. Social implications – Increasing social, economic and legal pressures to provide reasonable accommodation for functional but disordered employees, be more inclusive and take appropriate advantage of employee diversity underscores the general social value of this research. Originality/value – This research study is the first examination of the influence of AAD within the nomological network that determines project manager effectiveness. The results are of value to researchers, organizational development specialists, human resource management specialists, managers and employees who are seeking effective multimodal management of the disorder in the workplace.

Leading the way: how project manager strengths can influence team resilience

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Project Manager ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Signature Strengths ◽  
Team Resilience ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings The study takes empirical data from three case studies of projects that have faced setbacks to explore the impact of project manager signature strengths on team resilience and finds that four signature strengths, leadership, open-mindedness, persistence and hope, were present in project managers across all three case studies. Originality The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

scholarly journals A Correlational Study on Project Management Methodology and Project Success

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 56-65
Author(s):  
Michael Pace
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Project Success ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Project Manager ◽  
Correlational Study ◽  
Demographic Information ◽  
Moderating Variables ◽  
Multiple Project Management ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract This non-experimental correlational study extends previous research investigating the relationship between project management methodology and reported project success, as well as the moderating variables of industry and project manager experience. The sample included North American project managers with five years’ experience, 25 years of age or older, and experience with multiple project management methodologies. The survey instrument consisted of 58 questions, utilizing a 5-point Likert scale to record responses. The survey contained three sections, including demographic information, questions related to a successful project, and questions related to a less-than successful (failed / challenged) project. 367 usable responses were received. The examination of the constructs included Pearson’s correlation coefficient as well as linear regression to determine the impact of moderating variables. Results indicated that project management methodology has a weak correlation with reported project success, and this correlation is not moderated by industry nor project manager experience. The results did not align with previously conducted studies, illustrating a need to continue the study of methods impacting success including investigating additional moderating variables.

Linking transformational leadership and “multi-dimensions” of project success

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umer Zaman ◽  
Shahid Nawaz ◽  
Sidra Tariq ◽  
Asad Afzal Humayoun
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Project Success ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Transformational leadership, flexibility and visibility improves project responsiveness to highly unpredictable and impactful events referred as the ‘black swans’ in mega projects (Bloch et al., 2012; Raziq et al., 2018; Zailani et al., 2016). However, these concepts have never been empirically tested in a single framework to determine their significant impact on multi-dimensional project success. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the interactional effects of project flexibility and project visibility on the relationship between transformational leadership and “multi-dimensions” of project success including meeting design goals; impact on customers and benefits to project-based organization. Design/methodology/approach Empirical data derived from cross-sectional survey of 160 project managers from telecom intensive companies in Pakistan were used to test the conceptual framework developed from recent literature. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) provided detailed analysis of the measurement and structural model. The most recent reflective–formative PLS-SEM approach for higher-order constructs has been introduced. Findings The results indicate that project managers’ transformational leadership (β = 0.348, p < 0.01), project flexibility (β = 0.221, p < 0.01) and project visibility (β = 0.366, p < 0.01) are positively related with the multi-dimensional project success (second-order formative) construct. Interestingly, the relationship between transformational leadership and project success is influenced by significantly negative moderations established through project flexibility (β = −0.100, p < 0.01) and project visibility (β = −0.093, p < 0.05). Research limitations/implications This study in the telecom sector examined the interactional effects of risk mitigating strategies (i.e. project flexibility and project visibility) on the relationship between transformational leadership and multi-dimensional project success. This study creates a basis for future investigations extending to various project types and relevant to different industries especially those involving higher-order (formative) assessments of project success. Practical implications The study findings assist project leaders to meet their escalating commitments in achieving project success from a multi-dimensional standpoint. Additionally, this study underscores a renewed perspective of transformational leadership and project outcomes. Despite prevailing understanding developed through prior research, transformational leadership may become less favorable for project success in conditions of increased flexibility and visibility in projects. Originality/value Earlier studies have overlooked the multi-dimensional nature of project success (second-order formative) construct, despite several attempts to examine the interplay between transformational leadership and project success. Based on the knowledge gap and non-existence of empirical evidence, the authors introduced and empirically tested the moderating role of project flexibility and project visibility in the relationship between transformational leadership and multi-dimensional project success.

Continuous improvement: challenges for the project-based organization

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (7) ◽  
pp. 1306-1320
Author(s):  
Fredrik Backlund ◽  
Erik Sundqvist
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Project Performance ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Management Teams ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Individual Project ◽  
The Individual ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose There are limited studies of continuous improvement (CI) from the perspective of a project-based organization (PBO). Hence, the purpose of this paper is to explore challenges that PBOs may encounter when applying CI. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory and qualitative approach has been used, involving six management teams in six different PBOs, using focus groups interviews as data collecting method. Findings A high degree of autonomy among project managers seems to limit a collective approach to project management in PBOs. As a consequence the overall PBO performance becomes subordinate to the individual project performance—an approach opposite to that of CI. Further, the management teams themselves seem to uphold a project focus, also complicating improvement initiatives from a PBO-perspective. Research limitations/implications The management teams have been the unit of analysis, where the PBOs mainly conduct projects in an engineering and construction context, and are located in the same country and region. This approach enables the thorough study of a phenomenon, while preconditions for generalization are limited. However, the findings could be used by researchers as a basis for more in-depth studies of specific challenges, and for making surveys to obtain generalization of results. Practical implications The results can induce awareness and understanding of different challenges if applying CI in a PBO, hence a starting point for finding ways to overcome these challenges. Originality/value The article contributes to an increased understanding of challenges that PBOs may encounter when applying CI, confirming and presenting additional findings compared to previous studies.

Robustness-based multi-objective optimization for repetitive projects under work continuity uncertainty

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (10) ◽  
pp. 3095-3113
Author(s):  
Lihui Zhang ◽  
Guyu Dai ◽  
Xin Zou ◽  
Jianxun Qi
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo Simulation ◽  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Project Performance ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Multi Objective Optimization ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
New Type

PurposeInterrupting work continuity provides a way to improve some project performance, but unexpected and harmful interruptions may impede the implementation. This paper aims to mitigate the negative impact caused by work continuity uncertainty based on the notion of robustness.Design/methodology/approachThis paper develops a float-based robustness measurement method for the work continuity uncertainty in repetitive projects. A multi-objective optimization model is formulated to generate a schedule that achieves a balance between crew numbers and robustness. This model is solved using two modules: optimization module and decision-making module. The Monte Carlo simulation is designed to validate the effectiveness of the generated schedule.FindingsThe results confirmed that it is necessary to consider the robustness as an essential factor when scheduling a repetitive project with uncertainty. Project managers may develop a schedule that is subject to delays if they only make decisions according to the results of the deadline satisfaction problem. The Monte Carlo simulation validated that an appropriate way to measure robustness is conducive to generating a schedule that can avoid unnecessary delay, compared to the schedule generated by the traditional model.Originality/valueAvailable studies assume that the work continuity is constant, but it cannot always be maintained when affected by uncertainty. This paper regards the work continuity as a new type of uncertainty factor and investigates how to mitigate its negative effects. The proposed float-based robustness measurement can measure the ability of a schedule to absorb unpredictable and harmful interruptions, and the proposed multi-objective scheduling model provides a way to incorporate the uncertainty into a schedule.

Can joint-contract functions promote PPP project sustainability performance? A moderated mediation model

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengyuan Cheng ◽  
Guoliang Liu ◽  
Yongshun Xu
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Environmental Uncertainty ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Project Participants ◽  
Project Sustainability ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Behavioral Uncertainty

PurposeThe role of conventional contracts in achieving sustainability goals in public–private partnership (PPP) projects has been questioned. From the multifunctional perspective of contract theory, joint-contract functions that combine contractual control, coordination and adaptation may be a potential approach for improving PPP project sustainability performance. This research intends to investigate the link between the joint-contract functions and PPP project sustainability performance, and their underlying mechanism, by analyzing the mediating role of relationship quality and moderating roles of environmental uncertainty and behavioral uncertainty.Design/methodology/approachBased on 170 valid survey data collected from the Chinese PPP professionals, partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was adopted to test the hypothesis.FindingsThe results reveal that joint-contract functions are positively associated with the PPP project sustainability performance. This relationship is strengthened by environmental and behavioral uncertainty. Moreover, the relationship between the joint-contract functions and PPP project sustainability performance is mediated by relationship quality.Research limitations/implicationsThis research extends contract governance theory and sustainability research in PPP projects. The research implications are as follows: (1) joint-contract functions are a second-order construct consisting of three first-order dimensions: control, coordination and adaptation and are positively associated with PPP project sustainability performance; (2) joint-contract functions enhance the sustainable benefits of PPP projects during environmental uncertainty and behavioral uncertainty; (3) informal relationships are a critical bridge connecting formal institutions with the sustainability performance of PPP projects.Practical implicationsIn general, these findings guide project participants who aim to achieve sustainable outcomes in PPP projects. (1) Project participants should consider the process of contract design and sign contracts that focus on joint-contract functions. (2) Project participants should investigate the degree of uncertainty of a PPP project before designing contracts, and design the contracts with corresponding complexity. (3) Project participants should work to enhance PPP sustainable benefits by improving the relationship between partners, such as encouraging mutual trust and joint problem-solving.Originality/valueThis research verifies the relationship between joint-contract functions and PPP project sustainability performance, and the boundary and intermediary conditions between them.

scholarly journals Exploring the relationship between leadership and followership of Chinese project managers

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 616-647
Author(s):  
Haoran Li ◽  
Zhenzhi Zhao ◽  
Ralf Müller ◽  
Jingting Shao
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Leaders And Followers ◽  
Predicting Behavior ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
Nation Wide Survey ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose Followership is the free will recognition of leadership in the commitment toward realization of the collectively adopted organization vision and culture. The purpose of this paper is to identify the relationship between project managers’ leadership and their followership. Most project managers are both leaders and followers at the same time, but research typically investigates only their leadership. This ignores followership as an important aspect in understanding and predicting behavior, and further in the selection of project managers. Design/methodology/approach The method used for this paper is the explanatory in nature and a deductive approach, within which the above research hypothesis is tested through quantitative techniques. Data are collected through a nation-wide survey in China. Data analysis was done through factor analysis, canonical correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. Findings The results show that transformational leadership is positively correlated with transformational followership and transactional followership, and that transactional leadership is negatively correlated with transactional followership. Research limitations/implications The paper supports a deeper investigation into leadership and followership theories. A model for both leadership and followership is developed. The findings from this paper will guide organizations to choose the project managers. Originality/value The originality lies in the new way to examine the relationship between leadership and followership. It is the first study on the relationship of project managers. Its value is new insights, which introduced a new perspective to understand leadership and followership.

How career expectations influence advancement: evidence from women in the hospitality industry

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Liu ◽  
Jie Gao ◽  
Mingfang Zhu ◽  
Yajun Qiu
Keyword(s):  
Career Development ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Career Management ◽  
Career Expectations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This study aims to examine the role of women’s career expectations (CEs) in changes in their career advancement (CA) and to determine whether these changes were because of socio-demographic factors. Design/methodology/approach Multiple linear regression was used to measure the relationship between women’s CEs and CA, as well as the influences that socio-demographic factors (e.g. education) have on that relationship. Findings Results indicated that CEs had two dimensions (i.e. career rewards and career development) and that career reward expectations had a significantly higher effect on CA than career development expectations. Furthermore, women were very likely to set higher CEs and stronger desires for CA as they became older. Results also showed that education, working years and position level were significantly related to women’s CA. Practical implications This study provides new insight into which aspects of women’s CA can be boosted by CEs and how these aspects may be affected by socio-demographic factors. This study can help hotels design better career management strategies to achieve the desired results. The study also provides guidance for women’s career management activities. Originality/value This study considers women’s CEs in hotels. The results revealed two dimensions (i.e. career rewards and career development) of CEs and uncovered the influences of socio-demographic factors on women’s CA, for example, age, education, working years and position level.

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