Adaptability in the workplace: Investigating the adaptive performance job requirements for a project manager

Abstract

Understanding job requirements for adaptive performance is increasingly important in light of the pace of change that typifies many workplaces today. The purpose of this research is to investigate job requirements for adaptive performance in a sample set of project managers. The eight-dimension taxonomy of adaptive performance developed by Pulakos, Arad, Donovan and Plamondon (2000) is used to test what, if any of the dimensions of adaptive performance are required for a project manager. 177 respondent project managers from 16 different countries across the world indicated a high frequency of experience in adaptive performance. Exploratory factor analysis indicated that the dimension of dealing with uncertain and unpredictable situations as a job requirement for a project manager to demonstrate adaptive performance. Findings also found justifications for combining handling emergencies or crisis situations and handling work stress as one dimension, and the inclusion of an additional dimension for demonstrating leadership performance. The research contributes by providing insights into individual adaptive performance requirements of project managers who operate in increasingly complex and dynamic work conditions.