Strategic project management as an innovative approach for sustainable green campus buildings in Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pantaleo Mutajwaa Daniel Rwelamila ◽  
Neha Purushottam
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Green Campus ◽  
Management Approaches ◽  
Contemporary Management ◽  
Seamless Connection ◽  
Strategic Project ◽  
The Way

Purpose Across the African continent many colleges and universities are facing hurdles in sustaining green building initiatives. Often the barriers to green building are not purely financial, they include a significant number of non-financial issues directly connected with the way green building initiatives are integrated within the management of these higher learning institutions (HLIs). The purpose of this paper is to explore the reasons behind widespread barriers and the ways in which the barriers could be overcome through strategic project management. Design/methodology/approach The paper includes a critical review of existing literature on barriers to sustaining green building initiatives and an argument is built on the need to manage these initiatives as projects. Consequently it establishes that there is a seamless connection between HLIs strategies and projects, hence strategic project management as a framework to sustain the green campus culture. Findings Despite numerous barriers facing African HLIs in embracing green campus buildings (GCBs) as part of their permanent business undertakings; this review strongly suggest a change of direction from “traditional approaches” to strategic project management, where all green building initiatives are transformed to programmes and portfolios dealing with sub-sets of the core business of HLIs. Practical implications Strategic decision to include green campus building initiatives (GCBIs) as part of HLIs core strategic business projects will bring permanence in GCB thinking and resources will be allocated to GCBIs and green campus thinking may become a norm and one of the metrics for organization success. Social implications Strategic project as a way to creating a conducive-environment for GCBIs success will become a constant and part of the way in which African HLIs are managed. Originality/value Contemporary management approaches like strategic project management is embraced as mean for allowing under-resourced African HLIs achieving significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Hopes and sighs: the Swiss Cooperative Storage Facility

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (4/5) ◽  
pp. 170-181
Author(s):  
Ulrich Niederer
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Green Building ◽  
High Density ◽  
Storage Facility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Libraries ◽  
Evaluation Phase ◽  
German Speaking ◽  
Complete Process ◽  
The Way

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the Swiss Cooperative Storage Facility, a high bay, high density, automated, and oxygen reduced off-site storage facility which serves five research libraries from the German speaking part of Switzerland; it opened in February 2016. Design/methodology/approach – It describes the complete process of evaluating and planning this innovative facility. Findings – It explains the way the cooperation of the five libraries in highly federalist Switzerland was achieved, what principles guided its organization, and how the libraries prepared their holdings for this off-site storage. It shows the construction as an ecologically driven green building with economical advantages. Originality/value – The project seems to be the second automated and oxygen-reduced library storage facility worldwide, after the British Library’s Additional Storage Buildings, and the depth and detail of the evaluation phase is new.

Benchmarking Six Sigma implementation in services companies operating in an emerging economy

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Augusto Cauchick Miguel ◽  
Marly Monteiro de Carvalho
Keyword(s):  
Six Sigma ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Emerging Economy ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Companies ◽  
Management Leadership ◽  
Management Approaches ◽  
Strategic Project

Purpose – The paper reports case studies conducted in services organizations that apply Six Sigma in an emerging economy. Aspects of human resources and full-time specialist, infra-structure, top management leadership, customer requirements, focus on financial and non-financial results, structured method and strategic project selection are investigated. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Case-based research is employed as methodological approach. Data were mostly gathered through semi-structured interviews with managers involved with Six Sigma implementation. When available, archival data were also used to achieve more evidence towards triangulation. Then, the aggregation of the results was done a posteriori. Findings – It was verified that Six Sigma was successfully implemented in those companies, however with some drawbacks. The studied companies adopt Six Sigma in association with other quality management approaches, mainly ISO 9000: 2008 and lean production. Research limitations/implications – The study was limited to three service companies. Therefore, the study findings are not subject to generalisation for other similar firms. Practical implications – The research shows the importance of Six Sigma implementation in service companies in addition to its contribution to practical application by identifying the relevant aspects of its introduction. It enables practitioners to use the findings on factors that should be taken into consideration when applying Six Sigma. Originality/value – It is one of the few studies on Six Sigma analysis in emerging economies. In addition, the empirical results found support in existing theory to some extent.

Digital project management: rapid changes define new working environments

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Te Wu
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Project Teams ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Working Environments ◽  
Management Consultancy ◽  
Project Management Professionals ◽  
Management Approaches

Purpose Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, project management was undergoing gradual shift and moving from traditional ways of working toward embracing digitization. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this transformation. This paper highlights the importance of digital project management (DPM), its adoption of digital technologies, the changing role of digital project manager, significant and abrupt swing in the rise of virtual teams and the benefits and challenges of remote project teams. This paper aims to discuss the latest development in project management and to lay out the rationale why DPM is here to stay even after the pandemic. Design/methodology/approach The author has based this research on reviewing publications from the project management journals and publications, interviews of project management professionals and analyzing data from a project management consultancy. Findings The pandemic accelerated the digitalization of project management including the adoption of digital tools and technologies, embracing an agile approach to implementing projects; working collaborative in remote teams; and breaking traditional barriers of geography, time zones and fundamentally how project teams collaborate. Practical implications Project management is being digitized, changing how teams work. Fueled by the pandemic, DPM accelerated its momentum. The rate of adoption is likely to be strong after the pandemic. Organizations and individuals should consider embracing DPM but with the full knowledge of both benefits and challenges. Originality/value DPM is still in its early days even though the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated its use. Today and likely after the pandemic, organizations and people are increasingly embracing digital technologies, remote teams and agile project management approaches to project management. It is likely that in the foreseeable future, nearly all project managers will be digital project managers, giving rise to the importance of understanding the challenges and benefits and building the digital skills for both individuals and organizations.

Does innovation propensity influence wineries’ distribution channel decisions?

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 446-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gian Luca Casali ◽  
Mirko Perano ◽  
Angelo Presenza ◽  
Tindara Abbate
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Distribution Channel ◽  
Distribution Channels ◽  
Wine Industry ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wholesale Distribution ◽  
The Way

Purpose The aim of this paper is to analyze the relationships between distribution strategies and the level of innovation propensity in the winemaking industry. It intends to identify the existence of patterns around the way wineries innovate and the way distribution channels are used. These determinants can support or constrain wineries’ behaviors in their strategic choices related to distribution channels. Design/methodology/approach The sample comprised 191 Italian small- to medium-sized enterprises in the wine industry. First, a two-step cluster analysis was used to identify patterns in the level of innovation propensity and differences in distribution channel strategies. Second, the research question was tested using multinomial logit regression. Findings Five clusters of innovation propensity were identified, varying from “no propensity to innovate” to “propensity for radical innovation”, and three clusters of distribution channel strategies were found. A significant negative relationship between innovation propensity and distribution channel strategies was revealed. This means that the greater the propensity to innovate, the smaller the need for a wholesale distribution option. Research limitations/implications As with most research, there are limitations to this study. First, the sample is from only one country. A second limitation is the sample size (191 Italian firms). A sample including large firms can be used to further validate the findings. Linked to the sample, another possible limitation is that all respondents were small- and medium-sized enterprises from a single industry. Practical implications This study contributes to the current innovation research by showing the existence of a negative relationship between innovation propensity and the choice of distribution channel in the wine industry. This knowledge is precious to entrepreneurs and managers in the wine sector, allowing them to better consider not only the type of strategies related to distribution channels but also the importance of building the firm’s propensity to innovate into the strategic decision-making process. Furthermore, the paper provides an opportunity for practitioners to reflect upon the fact that changing the distribution channel is more than just changing the outlet for their product; it might also require a revision in their innovation propensity to better facilitate the process. Social implications There are also social implications, in particular providing an advantage for consumers. The major advantage is based on the fact that consumers are now aware that the level of innovation propensity in a wine industry is directly linked to the type of distribution channel adopted. Therefore, wines with low-innovation propensity are most likely found to adopt wholesale distribution strategy, while the more innovative wineries adopt the wine expert and direct distribution channels. Originality/value For the first time, a cluster analysis approach was used to review different typologies of Italian wineries based on their propensity toward to innovation and subsequent distribution strategies. This study further explains the direct relationship between innovation propensity and the strategic choice toward between long or short distribution channels.

Practical wisdom for managing sustainable enterprises – synthesizing Buddhism and ecological economics

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 797-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter L. Daniels
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Practical Wisdom ◽  
World View ◽  
Ecological Economics ◽  
Economic Systems ◽  
Positive Contribution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Approaches ◽  
Contemporary Management ◽  
Scientific Base

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight how the new transdiscipline of ecological economics (EE) provides a very useful supporting scientific base for Buddhist traditions and their provision of practical wisdom for economics and management. Design/methodology/approach – The key relevant theoretical and methodological features of EE are explained and related to the Buddhist world view. The strong consistencies between the two perspectives are highlighted. The complementary nature of the practical philosophy of Buddhism and the guiding paradigm of EE can contribute to change in contemporary management approaches aligned with sustainable and welfare-enhancing economic systems. Findings – EE provides a very appropriate scientific base to complement and broaden the positive contribution of Buddhist traditions to sustainable economic systems and consistent management practices. Originality/value – Despite some very clear parallels and complementarities, the mutual benefits of integrating and strengthening the cross-over between Buddhism and the influential new “sustainability science” of EE are yet to be realised. This paper is focused on this goal. The potential interplay promises significant benefits for both perspectives – EE needs more development of its sustainability ethical basis, and Buddhist perspectives would be enhanced by support from a highly consistent and influential scientific paradigm in a world where secular market economics continues to prevail.

scholarly journals Balanced and integrated e-government implementation – exploring the crossroad of public policy-making and information systems project management processes

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulf Melin ◽  
Elin Wihlborg
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Project Management ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Public Policy Making ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Fields ◽  
Management Approaches ◽  
Critical Aspects

Purpose This paper aims to identify and elaborate on the various interpretations and implications of e-government as a process of public policy-making and as an act of information systems (IS) project management. The paper contributes to the search for a theoretical conceptualization by bridging policy project management and policy-making in public sector organizations at a crossroad of e-government to improve sustainable e-government research. Design/methodology/approach The research design of this paper focus on a model balancing the two research fields; public policy-making and analysis, and project management in the IS field. Through this model, four critical aspects of the processes are identified: objective, incentives/motivation, input/trigger and coordinative actor. These critical aspects are illustrated through findings from four case studies that are re-analyzed here. The cases show how the conceptual model through different dimensions can balance the two perspectives to reach a more sustainable outcome of e-government. Findings The paper shows that the two perspectives on e-government – public policy-making and project management – can be balanced and thereby reach a more sustainable outcome at this crossroad. The case studies re-visited in this paper are compared and serves as illustrations of these perspectives and different configurations of them in search for the crossroad. Research limitations/implications A main contribution of the paper is that e-government projects should be studied in, and taking both public policy-making and IS project management into account to be sustainable and successful. Even if the case studies have been conducted in Sweden, the conceptual results in this paper can be analytically generalized into other setting. However, there is a need for more comparative and conceptual studies in the field of e-government to shed light on the multi-faceted crossroads illustrated in this paper. Practical implications The paper offers new insights on how to integrate, bridge and even balance the two aspects of e-government policy aspects and projects management to achieve more sustainable and successful e-government. Originality/value The paper contributes to the literature by shedding light on the crossroad of policy aspects and IS project management approaches in the e-government field. The paper points at the need to further develop the understanding and design of e-government at the crossroad of information system models and political science concepts.

Comparative study of project management and critical success factors of greening new and existing buildings in Singapore

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 413-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sui Pheng Low ◽  
Shang Gao ◽  
Wen Lin Tay
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Critical Success Factors ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Building Projects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Success

Purpose – With pressing issues of climate change, greening buildings have emerged as a viable solution for meeting the increasing demand for buildings with minimal environmental impacts. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to establish the possibility of achieving this goal by investigating the drivers, challenges, and critical success factors (CSFs) involved in greening existing buildings. Since most of the relevant literature focuses on only acknowledging CSFs for new building projects in general, this study seeks to distinguish CSFs that are particularly related to the greening of existing buildings. Design/methodology/approach – Based on a review of past literature, 28 selected factors were identified and were categorised into five main groups, namely pre-project-related factors, project management-related factors, client-related factors, project team-related factors, and external factors. Because older buildings have more constraints than new buildings, a comparison of the CSFs for greening new and existing buildings was also made. Surveys and interviews were conducted to validate the CSFs identified. Findings – The top CSFs in each building category (new vs existing) were then further examined and analysed. These are “top management support”, “effective planning and control”, “building owner's involvement”, “cost management”, “responsiveness of building owners”, “clear scope and priorities of stakeholders”, and “legislation”. Furthermore, there was a strong consensus on the rankings of most factors between new and existing buildings. Research limitations/implications – By understanding the factors that are crucial for managing and delivering successful green projects in the Singaporean context, these CSFs can be used to direct an organisation's efforts in identifying critical issues and tackling them to achieve high performance. Originality/value – An ambitious goal of greening 80 per cent of Singapore's building stocks has been set by the government in the Second Green Building Master Plan. To help achieve this goal, this study contributes to the knowledge of project management issues that would determine the success of managing new green building projects and retrofitting existing ones.

Stakeholder evolution: a study of stakeholder dynamics in 12 Norwegian projects

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 172-196
Author(s):  
Omar ElWakeel ◽  
Bjorn Andersen
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Stakeholder Management ◽  
The Other ◽  
Stakeholder Group ◽  
Business Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strongly Connected ◽  
Change Position ◽  
Management Approaches ◽  
Business Sectors

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of stakeholder dynamics and to show how stakeholders demonstrate their dynamic nature in the power/interest matrix. This, in turn, should assist project management and stakeholder management practitioners predict the behavior of different stakeholder groups in their projects, and strategize their stakeholder management approaches accordingly. Design/methodology/approach The findings in this paper are based on data collected from 12 diverse projects from five different business sectors executed in Norway by means of an online, closed-question questionnaire, which was analyzed using various statistical approaches. Findings Stakeholder dynamics is a contextual phenomenon, which takes different forms and shapes from one stakeholder group to the other, from one industry or business sector to the other, and even from one project to the other within the same industry or business sector. The stakeholder group of user(s) was the most dynamic in Norwegian projects based on their continuous repositioning on the power/interest matrix from one project phase to the other. Environmental activists/organizations were the least dynamic stakeholder group in the full sample of projects. Originality/value This paper presents the first more comprehensive empirically based findings about stakeholder dynamics in projects the authors have been able to find. The study gives project management practitioners insights from various industries and business sectors into how stakeholders change position over time. It also shows that the two attributes of power and interest are strongly connected and affect one another, which might make it possible to control and design a safer and less complex stakeholder environment for future projects.

Commentary on “Specialist community teams for adults with learning disabilities: referrals to a countywide service in England”

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-55
Author(s):  
Lawrence Patterson
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Learning Disability ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Recent Literature ◽  
National Service ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Processing Demands ◽  
Adults With Learning Disabilities ◽  
Management Approaches ◽  
The Way

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on the paper “Specialist community teams for adults with learning disabilities: referrals to a countywide service in England” by Isabel Clare and colleagues.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reviews some themes presented in this paper relating to the practice and management of community teams for adults with learning disability within the context of recent national service initiatives.FindingsThere is a limited literature on the practice, purpose and service caseload management of community teams. Taken in the context of recent national service initiatives, the paper by Clareet al.illustrates the gaps between the way community teams are currently processing demands and how these services will likely need to behave in future.Originality/valueThere is little recent literature examining the purpose of, and management approaches in, community teams and this addition should stimulate some further consideration of how community teams need to adjust to meet changing demands.

Managing risk in green building projects: toward a dedicated framework

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nida Javed ◽  
Muhammad Jamaluddin Thaheem ◽  
Beenish Bakhtawar ◽  
Abdur Rehman Nasir ◽  
Khurram Iqbal Ahmad Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Project Management ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
The Body ◽  
Building Projects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
Managing Risk

Purpose The formal application of project risk management (PRM) in green building projects is still an emergent part of project management. The purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual PRM framework that increases the probability of success in green building projects by minimizing unexpected events. Design/methodology/approach This paper interprets the related literature and uses the opinion of green building experts. It exposes some pertinent elements needed for structuring the PRM framework and suggests some mitigation actions for high-ranked risks. It also performs ex-post analysis on a case study to practically validate the proposed framework. Findings It is found that high initial cost, lack of experienced contractors and subcontractors, consideration of lifecycle inflation and experience in green building project management are the most significant risks. To address them, the framework proposes a rigorous selection of contractors, provision of financial incentives from the government, setting of a time buffer to accommodate legal process and development of a deliberate proactive financial model. Originality/value This paper contributes to the body of knowledge and practice by providing a reasonable strategy for employing the PRM framework capable of effectively managing risk in green building projects to keep organizations competitive within the business environment. The overall aim of this study is to contribute to the further development of the area of risk assessment and risk management from a knowledge-based perspective.

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