Towards a new theory of project management: could client-side, construction, project management be a form of strategic management?

Paper

Usher, Greg. 2014. "Towards a new theory of project management: could client-side, construction, project management be a form of strategic management?" 2014 IPMA Research Conference: Theory Meets Practice in Project Management. Tianjin, China 01 - 02 Dec 2014
Paper/Presentation Title

Towards a new theory of project management: could client-side, construction, project management be a form of strategic management?

Presentation TypePaper
Authors
AuthorUsher, Greg
Year2014
Web Address (URL) of Paperhttp://www.ipma.world/research/ipma-research-conferences/
Conference/Event2014 IPMA Research Conference: Theory Meets Practice in Project Management
Event Details
2014 IPMA Research Conference: Theory Meets Practice in Project Management
Event Date
01 to end of 02 Dec 2014
Event Location
Tianjin, China
Abstract

Project management researchers and practitioners are becoming aware of a growing divide between the foundational theory of project management and the methodologies, tools and systems required to deliver modern-day construction projects. This paper challenges the traditionally accepted, underlying theory of client-side, construction project management (transformational, production management) and proposes the strategic management body of theory as a more valid foundation. This paper examines the assumptions which underpin both the transformational, production management body of theory and the strategic management body of theory and uses comparative analysis to identify correlations and deficiencies between these assumptions and observed practices within the field of client-side, construction, project management.
This paper finds that transformational, production management fails to provide sufficient theoretical explanation of the environment in which client-side, construction, project managers operate, or the practices they require to deliver projects. Based on these findings this paper concludes that the strategic management body of theory provides a more valid theoretical basis for client-side, construction project management and as such challenges researchers and practitioners to widen their understanding of the profession in search of new methods, systems and tools.

KeywordsProduction management, Project management, Strategic management.
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020359999. Other commerce, management, tourism and services not elsewhere classified
Public Notes

This paper has been presented at the conference, however the IPMA is yet to publish the proceedings.

Byline AffiliationsSchool of Management and Enterprise
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q33zv/towards-a-new-theory-of-project-management-could-client-side-construction-project-management-be-a-form-of-strategic-management

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