Efficiency of project management in higher education establishments on the example of Gdynia Maritime University

Abstract

Project management is sufficiently described in the source literature. However, numerous published scientific works refer mainly to examples of good practice in project management in business entities, and unfortunately higher education establishments (HEE) are marginally analysed. Therefore, the analyses defined in study aim to evaluate the performance indicators of project management in universities, on the example of Gdynia Maritime University. In the studies the research in action method was applied as well as the technique of direct interview with project or department managers involved in the project implementation. The analyses covered selected projects that were implemented at the University between 2017 and 2021. Moreover, research questions were formulated, i.e., 1) Which indicators are used to assess the efficiency of project management at HEE?, 2) Does the surveyed HEE analyse the project management efficiency assessment? In order to conduct the study, the Author’s indicators were proposed to assess the efficiency of process management during the implementation of projects in HEE and these were applied in the analysis presented in this article. It was found that the surveyed university does not apply indicators to assess the efficiency of project management. Whereas the usefulness of indicators proposed by the Authors to study the efficiency of project management was confirmed by calculations performed. On these grounds, the Authors recommend the University authorities should consider implementing these indicators.