van der Hoorn, Bronte and Whitty, Stephen J. (2016) Projectyness: a spectrum of greater or lesser capability. International Journal of Project Management, 34 (6). pp. 970-982. ISSN 0263-7863
Abstract
Grounding in continental philosophical perspectives, and in alignment with the calls to rethink project management, this article reconceptualises what is a project. This conceptual paper uses the theoretical concepts of Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty, and Dawkins as an interpretative lens to consider project work. The findings are that no activity is innately a project. A project is an experience that arises when there is a lack of inherent capability to undertake the activity. It is associated with a projecty experience: spikiness, roughness, and emotional ups and downs. Furthermore, it is found that there is no point of clear distinction between operational and project work: there is a projectyness spectrum. Based on these findings, we identify that project managing is about managing a lack of inherent capability and managing multiple people’s experience (not a single detached activity). Furthermore, the point at which to adopt project management techniques is not definitive.
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| Item Type: | Article (Commonwealth Reporting Category C) |
|---|---|
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current - Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts - School of Management and Enterprise |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Jul 2016 06:11 |
| Last Modified: | 18 Oct 2016 04:22 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | theory of project management; projectyness; Heidegger; Merleau-Ponty |
| Fields of Research : | 15 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services > 1503 Business and Management > 150310 Organisation and Management Theory |
| Identification Number or DOI: | 10.1016/j.ijproman.2016.05.003 |
| URI: | http://eprints.usq.edu.au/id/eprint/29347 |
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