Enriching project organizations with formal change agents

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 578-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pernille Eskerod ◽  
Just Bendix Justesen ◽  
Gisela Sjøgaard
Keyword(s):  
Project Success ◽  
Change Agents ◽  
Top Management ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Project Organization ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Project Organizations ◽  
Change Projects ◽  
Group Members

Purpose Project success requires effective and efficient cooperation between the project organization and the permanent organization in which the project takes place. The purpose of this paper is to discuss potentials and pitfalls from enriching project organizations by appointing peers as formal change agents. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a literature review and a multiple-case study in which six organizations participated in an action-oriented research project. The aim for the organizations was to obtain a better health status among the employees by accomplishing an internal change project that enhanced physical activity at the workplace and in leisure time. Change agents in the form of peer health ambassadors were selected by middle management and hereafter trained by the project representatives. Findings The findings suggest that the selection of change agents and middle and top management support are major determinants of success within change projects. To select change agents that the employees respect and can identify with, combined with top management prioritization, is important in order for the project organization to benefit from the additional role. Practical implications Selecting the “wrong” change agents can jeopardize a change project, even when the project is supported by top management and the target group members at the starting point are highly motivated to change. Originality/value The research contributes to the understanding of project organizing by building theory on how formal peer change agents can enhance project success in change projects.

Does humility of project manager affect project success? Confirmation of moderated mediation mechanism

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mudassar Ali ◽  
Zhang Li ◽  
Maqsood Haider ◽  
Salim Khan ◽  
Qaiser Mohi Ud Din
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Project Success ◽  
Psychological Empowerment ◽  
Project Manager ◽  
Top Management ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Top Management Support ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Humble Leadership

Purpose The philosophy of the conservation resource theory, this paper aims to evaluate the relationship between humble leadership on project success by integrating the mediating role of psychological empowerment and the interacting effect of top management support on the direct relationship (humble leadership and project success), as well as indirect relationships through psychological empowerment. Design/methodology/approach Time lag data were gained from 337 persons working in the project-based organization across the information technology industry. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling were used in this study. Findings By using the structural equation modelling method, the confirmatory factor analysis verified the uniqueness of the variable used in this research. The outcomes exhibited that humble leadership raised project success both directly and indirectly through mediation (psychological empowerment). Furthermore, Top management support was expected to have a moderating effect on the direct but not on the indirect relationship (via psychological empowerment). Originality/value This study demonstrates how top management support is essential for the project manager and project team members for the successful execution of the project. Particularly, minimal empirical research examines the interacting effect of top management support on humble leadership and employee psychological empowerment.

Linking humble leadership and project success: the moderating role of top management support with mediation of team-building

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mudassar Ali ◽  
Zhang Li ◽  
Salim Khan ◽  
Syed Jamal Shah ◽  
Rizwan Ullah
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Project Success ◽  
Team Building ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Top Management ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Top Management Support ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Humble Leadership

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the impact of humble leadership on project success. The authors propose that such an effect is mediated by team-building, and top management support moderates the direct relationship (humble leadership and project success) as well as an indirect relationship through team-building.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 337 individuals employed in the information technology sector of Pakistan. A two-step approach consisting confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling was used for analysis. To examine conditional direct and indirect effects, the authors utilized model 8 in PROCESS.FindingsThe results showed that humble leadership is positively related to project success. Furthermore, team-building partially mediates the relationship between humble leadership and project success. Moreover, top management support was anticipated to have a moderating effect on the direct and indirect link (via team-building) between humble leadership and project success.Originality/valueDrawing on the conservation of resources theory, this study found that how humble leadership is vital for project success, and thus, extends the utility of the concept of humble leadership to the project literature.

scholarly journals Top management support in software cost estimation

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 513-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jurka Rahikkala ◽  
Ville Leppänen ◽  
Jukka Ruohonen ◽  
Johannes Holvitie
Keyword(s):  
Cost Estimation ◽  
Project Success ◽  
Top Management ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Software Cost Estimation ◽  
Software Cost ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Top Management Support ◽  
Frequency Of Use ◽  
Software Professionals

Purpose – A cost estimate is considered to have a high impact on software project success. Because of this, different methodologies for creating an accurate estimate have been studied over decades. Many methodologies produce accurate results, when used properly. However, software projects still suffer from inaccurate estimates. The disparity may result from organisational hindrances. This paper focuses on top management support (TMS) for software cost estimation (SCE). The purpose of this paper is to identify current practices and attitudes of top management involvement in SCE, and to analyse the relationship between these two and project success. Design/methodology/approach – A list of 16 TMS practices for SCE has been developed. A survey was conducted to capture the frequency of use and the experienced importance of support practices. Data has been collected from 114 software professionals in Finland. Correlations between the frequency of use, attitudes and project success were analysed. Findings – Top management invests a significant amount of attention in SCE. The extent of use and experienced importance do not correlate strongly with each other or project success. Research limitations/implications – The results may lack generalisability. Researchers are encouraged to validate the results with further studies. Practical implications – Software professionals invite senior managers to participate in SCE. A list of practices for participating is provided. Originality/value – This paper suggests a list of 16 TMS practices for SCE. The paper also reports on the extent of use and experienced importance of practices, and the correlations between these two and project success.

Empirical analysis of Six Sigma project capability deficiency and its impact on project success

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 340-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoj Hudnurkar ◽  
Suhas Ambekar ◽  
Sonali Bhattacharya
Keyword(s):  
Change Management ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Project Success ◽  
Top Management ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Top Management Support ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the deficiencies in Six Sigma project capability and empirically validating its impact on project success. Design/methodology/approach Deficiencies are identified from literature focusing on Six Sigma challenges or barriers. The study used a survey approach by circulating questionnaires to 400 Six Sigma professionals from 40 multinational organisations. The conceptual model is composed of 16 items measuring five constructs for hypothesis testing. Furthermore, structural equation modelling was used to identify the relationship between Six Sigma project capability deficiency and project success. Findings The findings of the study suggest that inadequate top management support, inadequate resources and change management and inadequate quality maturity form Six Sigma project capability deficiency and affect project success. Research limitations/implications The study uses resource-based view to understand the deficiencies in Six Sigma project capability and their impact on project success. The study confirms that organisational capabilities in implementing Six Sigma affect the success of the projects. Practical implications The results of this study reveal that inadequate top management support, inadequate quality maturity of the organisation and inadequate resources and change management result into a deficiency in Six Sigma project capability. Quality managers in manufacturing and service organisations should attempt to improve these capabilities to achieve competitive advantage. Originality/value The study contributes to the literature by exploring the capability outlook of Six Sigma. The study attempts to fill the gap in Six Sigma literature by providing a structural model for understanding Six Sigma project capability deficiency and its impact on Six Sigma project success.

E-procurement in small and medium sized enterprises; facilitators, obstacles and effect on performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 839-866
Author(s):  
Cristóbal Sánchez-Rodríguez ◽  
Angel Rafael Martínez-Lorente ◽  
David Hemsworth
Keyword(s):  
Business Performance ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Top Management ◽  
Process Performance ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Procurement Process ◽  
Top Management Support ◽  
Strategic Purchasing ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze e-procurement in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and its relationship with top management support, IT obstacles and strategic purchasing and the effect of e-procurement on performance (procurement performance and business performance). Design/methodology/approach The hypotheses were tested using a sample of 199 managers from SMEs in manufacturing. Findings The results indicated a significant relationship between e-procurement in SMEs and top management support, IT obstacles and strategic purchasing. Similarly, the authors found a positive relationship between e-procurement and procurement process performance and business performance. Practical implications The findings stress to SME managers, the need to pay attention to top management support, IT obstacles and strategic purchasing when implementing e-procurement. Similarly, it provides evidence of the benefits of e-procurement on procurement process performance and business performance. Originality/value This study fills a gap in the literature regarding e-procurement in SMEs and its impact on performance. SMEs constitute a significant part of today’s economies and e-procurement can significantly impact the performance of these organizations.

Managing top management support in complex information systems projects

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 151-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvador Bueno ◽  
M. Dolores Gallego
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Organizational Communication ◽  
Enterprise Resource Planning ◽  
Resource Planning ◽  
End Users ◽  
Top Management ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Top Management Support ◽  
And Training

Purpose Top management support (TMS) is considered as a critical factor for the success of information systems (ISs) projects. The literature shows that TMS has a positive impact on achieving success in ISs’ projects in different aspects. However, the enabling factors for TMS in complex ISs’ projects have barely been tested, something which this study aims to rectify. Design/methodology/approach This study has designed a research model based on structural equation modelling (SEM) with the intention of analysing the perception of IS end users regarding the effect on TMS of the following factors: technological complexity and training and organizational communication. The application of the study has focused on an enterprise resource planning–open source software (ERP-OSS) environment. Findings The findings show how end users have a perception that organizational communication and training have a positive relation with TMS. Based on these findings, the authors have suggested several practical considerations. Research limitations/implications There are two limitations to this study. First, this study is based on the perception of complex IS/IT users. It would be interesting to add the perception of top managers to provide more solid findings. The second limitation is that this study has not suggested any additional potential factors which could affect TMS. Practical implications First, this article provides a study of the key role of TMS when an organization needs to implement a complex IS/IT. Second, organizations must develop mechanisms for increasing training and communication relating to the new complex IS/IT projects. Finally, the complexity of an IS/IT project does not constitute an enabling factor incentivizing TMS and should therefore not be a determining factor in increasing TMS within an organization selecting an IS/IT. Originality/value This study contributes to advancing theory in the field of TMS in information systems projects.

Top management support and knowledge sharing: the strategic role of affiliation and trust in academic environment

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Man Fung Lo ◽  
Feng Tian ◽  
Peggy Mei Lan Ng
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Top Management ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Top Management Support ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Knowledge Intensive Organizations ◽  
Knowledge Intensive

Purpose Knowledge sharing, the most important process in knowledge management, enables knowledge-intensive organizations to foster innovations and to gain competitiveness. Universities, the best contemporary embodiments of knowledge-intensive organizations, nowadays face fiercer competition in the changing world. Knowledge sharing is the key for academic departments to gain competitive advantages through innovation. However, limited studies examined the relationships between top management support, knowledge sharing and affiliation and trust. Based on the literature review, this study developed a research model which aims to examine the relationship between top management support and knowledge sharing, and the mediating role played by affiliation and trust. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was conducted in eight universities in Hong Kong. Data gathered from 109 professoriate staff (including chairs, professors and [research] associate/assistant professors) were used to test the four hypotheses in the research model with partial least squares structural equation modeling. Findings The results showed that top management support has a positive impact on affiliation and trust, and that affiliation and trust also have a positive impact on knowledge sharing. However, this study showed an insignificant linkage between top management support and knowledge sharing. Therefore, this study confirmed the mediating role played by affiliation and trust. Practical implications Based on the results, this study provided recommendations on how academic management and knowledge management consultants increase the faculty members’ affiliation and trust, for instance, mentoring, performance appraisal system, social interactions and communication pathways. Originality/value The findings of this study contribute to the literature in two ways. First, affiliation and trust are two interplayed elements of team climate that should be considered together. Second, this study validates affiliation and trust as a full mediator between top management support and knowledge sharing.

Enterprise social network (ESN) systems and knowledge sharing: what makes it work for users?

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-327
Author(s):  
Abhishek Kalra ◽  
Rupashree Baral
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Least Squares Method ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Top Management ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Enterprise Social Network

Purpose Enterprise Social Network (ESN) systems have emerged as the technology of choice to bolster and support organizational efforts for harnessing embedded knowledge. However, a lack of understanding about it limits the optimization of its potential. Hence, this paper aims to assess the role of hedonic motivation, network externalities (NE) and top management support in conjugation with the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology theory to understand ESN’s usage for knowledge sharing. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 187 ESN users through a survey questionnaire and subsequently analyzed using variance-based structural equation modeling using the partial least squares method. Findings ESNs are used both for utilitarian and hedonic purposes. Furthermore, the results also bring out the importance of externalities arising from an extensive network of users and complimentary services, as well as support regarding resources and recognition from the top management toward reinforcing the benefits of using ESNs. Research limitations/implications This study advances earlier knowledge by assessing the actual usage of ESNs for knowledge sharing. It takes into consideration multiple input variables, namely, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, NE amongst others to best resonate with the key factors driving its adoption and usage by an individual. However, because of the cross-sectional research design, causality can only be inferred. Practical implications The organizations are recommended to have in place the measures for attaining optimal usage of ESNs, and in turn, witness knowledge moves around in ways unfathomable. Steps should be taken to develop tools and ecosystems to provide users affordances for both increasing productivity, as well as opportunities for gaining pleasure. Originality/value This study is one of its kind effort to synthesize the knowledge about the ESNs in an Indian context. It provides fascinating insights into the determinants of intention and usage of ESNs for knowledge sharing.

Do extrinsic motivation and organisational culture additively strengthen intrinsic motivation in online knowledge sharing?

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuyet-Mai Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Intrinsic Motivation ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Extrinsic Motivation ◽  
Organisational Culture ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
Top Management ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Top Management Support ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship between intrinsic motivation and online knowledge sharing intentions (KSIs) and the moderating effect of extrinsic motivation and organisational culture on this relationship. The influence of online KSI on two dimensions of online knowledge sharing behaviour, knowledge donating and knowledge collecting, was also investigated. Design/methodology/approach Based on the extensive literature review, a questionnaire was designed. In total, 290 questionnaires from employees in Vietnamese companies in the banking and insurance industry were collected and tested using structural equation modelling. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS and PLS 3 software to examine the research hypotheses. Findings This study found that rewards and reciprocity undermined the influence of self-enjoyment on online KSI, while top management support and social interaction ties undermined the relationship between self-efficacy and online KSI. Top management support positively moderated the effect of self-enjoyment on online KSI. The results also suggested that online KSI was a good predictor of online knowledge donating and collecting. Originality/value Little is empirically known about the moderating effect of extrinsic motivation and organizational culture on intrinsic motivation. The study brings new insights to further understand about online knowledge sharing in an organisation.

Impact of supplier innovativeness, top management support and strategic sourcing on supply chain resilience

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Santanu Mandal
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Organization Culture ◽  
Top Management ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Sourcing ◽  
Top Management Support

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the importance of supplier innovativeness (SI), top management support (TMS) and strategic sourcing (SS) in the development of supply chain (SC) resilience. The study also argues that organization culture (OC) strongly influences SI, TMS and SS in their importance in generating SC resilience.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a cross-sectional approach for collecting online-survey-based responses for evaluating the validity of the proposed associations. Respondents were chosen ensuring that they have sufficient exposure in SC operations in their respective designations. With two reminders, around 212 completed responses were received and analyzed using partial least squares in SmartPLS 2.0.M3.FindingsFindings suggested TMS as a positive enabler of SC resilience. However, although SI and SS had positive influences, they were not significant. The study argues that this may be attributed to the presence of OC as a strong precursor for SI, TMS and SS. The findings showed that OC is indeed a strong predictor of SI, TMS and SS.Originality/valueThe study has undersigned empirically the influence of OC in the development of SI, TMS and SS. The study is the foremost to acknowledge the influence of SI, TMS and SS on SC resilience.

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