The impact of Puritan ideology on aspects of project management

Article

Whitty, Stephen Jonathan and Schulz, Mark Frederick. 2007. "The impact of Puritan ideology on aspects of project management." International Journal of Project Management. 25 (1), pp. 10-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2006.05.002
Article Title

The impact of Puritan ideology on aspects of project management

ERA Journal ID3498
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsWhitty, Stephen Jonathan (Author) and Schulz, Mark Frederick (Author)
Journal TitleInternational Journal of Project Management
Journal Citation25 (1), pp. 10-20
Number of Pages11
Year2007
PublisherElsevier
ISSN0263-7863
1873-4634
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2006.05.002
Abstract

This paper examines the impact of Puritan ideology on various aspects of project management. By using a memetic approach to project management research, this paper traces the development of the ethos or spirit of project management from its Puritan origins. It argues that contrary to traditional thinking, project management has developed against a background of Puritan elements (memes) that are favourable to the development of capitalism. Moreover, it is suggested that these religious origins continue to impact in a conservative way on how the project management discipline evolves; limiting its development, oversimplifying the process of managing people, and consequentially thwarting nonconformists.

Keywordshistory of project management; Puritan ideology; memetic; spirit of project management; religion; doctrinal supremacy; Protestant work ethic; scientific management; managerialism
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020350711. Organisational planning and management
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Byline AffiliationsUniversity of Queensland
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