Project Organization Research Articles

Psychological Safety Effects on Knowledge Sharing in Project Teams

This article investigates the impact of abusive supervision in causing the loss of psychological safety, which in turn impacts knowledge-sharing among project team members. Moderation and moderated mediation of psychological capital (PsyCap) in the direct and indirect relationship between abusive supervision and knowledge sharing is also tested. Using a multiwave and multisource survey, data are collected from 239 subordinate–supervisor dyads in Indian project organizations. Our research results suggest that employees with abusive leaders suffer a loss of psychological safety which in turn demotivates knowledge sharing behavior. Furthermore, the effects of abusive supervision on knowledge sharing are moderated by PsyCap such that the negative impact is alleviated by high PsyCap. Most significantly, the moderated mediation findings show that the mediated relationship is contingent on the level of PsyCap, such that the negative influence of hostile behaviors of supervisors on knowledge sharing via psychological safety is attenuated by low PsyCap. The findings of the study suggest that organizations should invest time and effort in preventing abusive supervision in the workplace and enhancing psychological safety. Clear policies, well-developed communication systems, and active involvement of employees go a long way in building a psychologically safe working environment. Given the importance of PsyCap in influencing psychological safety and knowledge sharing, organizations should pay attention to screening for personal resources in addition to knowledge, skills, and abilities. As a personal resource, PsyCap is malleable and firms may invest in developing employees’ PsyCap resources.

Internet of Vehicles Based On Cellular-Vehicle-To-Everything (C-V2X)

In line with the development of automotive and traffic systems, high mobility and density in different road topologies cause scalability and delay issues due to frequent disconnection between communication nodes. From a safety aspect, Cellular-V2X (C-V2X) wireless technology was introduced by the Third Generation Partnership Project Organization (3GPP) to realise the transmission of emergency messages at critical times, anywhere. Specifically, Mode 4 C-V2X supports side-link communication without relying on a base station to provide network coverage. However, Mode 4 is susceptible to several limitations, which include half-duplex transmission, packet collision, and propagation errors that will cause intermittent connectivity issues. It is also difficult to determine appropriate parameter configurations that can increase the spectrum efficiency of dense networks to facilitate reliable and low-latency networks. The objective of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of a Mode 4 C-V2X system under different road topologies and traffic scenarios. The study adopts a Krauss vehicular mobility model based on SUMO software to model normal and dense networks in a highway and a road intersection scenario, then perform simulation using OMNET++ software to analyse the impact of different physical layer (PHY) configurations such as modulation and coding scheme, packet size, number of resource block allocation, as well as the probability of resource reservation. The results show that the optimal configuration of parameters depends on the scenario. For highway scenarios, a lower MCS and a higher number of RBs are recommended. For road intersection scenarios, a higher MCS and a lower number of RBs are recommended. The packet size should also be in accordance with the requirements of the application used. The findings of this study can be used to assist in the design of an optimal intelligent transportation system using adaptive C-V2X parameters that can be automatically adjusted under different scenarios and network conditions.

POSITIVE EXPERIENCE OF PROJECT-BASED DEVELOPMENT OF SOFT SKILLS OF FUTURE SPECIALISTS: INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

The relevance of the study is due to the need to develop the soft skills of future professionals through project-based activities in higher education institutions in the international dimension.
 Objective: To describe and substantiate the positive practices of developing soft skills of future specialists through project-based activities in higher education institutions in the People's Republic of China in order to utilise the positive experience of this country in reforming Ukrainian education.
 Methods: Theoretical analysis of scientific sources, websites of educational institutions, educational and professional programmes of higher education institutions to determine the key features of the development of soft skills of future specialists through project-based activities in higher education institutions of the People's Republic of China.
 Findings: The concepts of soft skills and project-based activities were formulated and clarified, the inhibiting factors of development were identified, and the issue of soft skills development in future specialists in current research on higher education in the People's Republic of China was analysed. The paper describes measures to improve the level of development of soft skills of future specialists in the People's Republic of China and formulates proposals for solving the issue of developing soft skills of future specialists through project-based activities in higher education institutions of Ukraine.
 Conclusions: It was found that the development of soft skills of future specialists through project-based activities is more effective. It was established that the organisation of collective scientific projects and the holding of contests and competitions using practice-oriented tasks for students are effective means of improving the level of soft skills of future specialists in higher education institutions. Reforming curricula and funding and establishing cooperation with industry by the Ministry of Education and Science; professional development of teachers in universities, organisation of additional extracurricular activities using projects; formulating clear goals for project-based learning by teachers, establishing effective cooperation with students, and organising feedback and assessment can be useful in improving the level of soft skills of future specialists in higher education institutions in Ukraine.

Unpacking resilience of project organizations: A capability-based conceptualization and measurement of project resilience

Characterized by involvement of multiple stakeholders and temporary nature, projects can be risky and coupled with unexpected events and uncertain situations. Projects, as a common form of temporary organizations, require resilience capabilities that enable them to cope with unexpected events, recover from disruptions and crises, and adapt to external environments for effective project delivery. However, there is little consensus about what project resilience means and how it is composed. This study aims to unpack the concepts of project resilience capabilities and explore core dimensions and indicators to measure it. Drawing upon a capability-based view, project resilience capabilities are conceptualized as the abilities of project organizations to organize under a variety of scenarios, including disruptions in the form of shocks and stressors and adapt in a changing environment. Three main aspects of project resilience capabilities were identified inspired by a dynamic process-based thinking, anticipation, coping, and adaptation capabilities. A total number of 21 dimension with 74 indicators are then developed to formulate a measurement tool. Based on the conceptualization of project resilience capabilities in the project organizing domain, this study is considered as an important step to extend the idea of organizational resilience capabilities and add knowledge towards the project resilience literature.

Methodology Improvement of Common Data Environment Organization to Design the Section 'Land Plot Layout Scheme'

The article deals with current issues of the introduction of building information model technologies, which are a tool for digitalization of the construction industry, into the workflow of design organizations. The problems and disadvantages of the existing system in organization of joint work are revealed based on the analysis of the current state, assessment of internal and external factors that affect the management of the working environment within the organization. The general principles of the formation of a unified environment based on the use of information modeling technologies - the common data environment (CDE) are analyzed. The concepts of forming a common data environment with their subsequent analysis in order to identify advantages and disadvantages are considered. The article concludes that it is necessary to organize a common data environment through the use of specialized software that has significant advantages over other methods, the main of which is the ability to work with a consolidated model. A step-by-step plan for the implementation of the common data environment in the activities of project organizations is proposed. The plan is divided into four stages: the preparatory stage, the analytical stage, the testing stage and the stage of full implementation of the common data environment. Taking into account the identified problems, an improved methodology for organizing the common data environment in the design of the section 'Land plot layout scheme' has been developed. The methodology makes it possible to use the resources of the project company (through the use of building information model technologies) and ensure high quality and speed in the implementation of the project (due to the possibility of checking the model for collisions and creating conditions for data exchange) effectively, and, consequently, increase the competitiveness of the company in the market.

CLIPS: Enriching interorganizational R&D project management by a project culture focus

Project managers still face management problems in interorganizational Research and Development (R&D) projects due to their limited authority. Addressing a project culture which is conducive to cooperation and innovation in interorganizational R&D project management demands commitment of individual project members and thus balances this limited authority. However, the relational collaboration level at which project culture manifests itself is not addressed by current project management approaches, or it is addressed only at a late stage. Consequently, project culture develops within a predefined framework of project organization and organized contents and thus is not actively targeted. Therefore, a focus shift towards project culture becomes necessary. This can be done by a project-culture-aware management. The method CLIPS actively supports interorganizational project members in this kind of management. It should be integrable in the common project management approaches, that with its application all collaboration levels are addressed in interorganizational R&D project management. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate the integrability of the method CLIPS and show how it can be integrated in common project management approaches. This enriches interorganizational R&D project management by a project culture focus.

Biochemical Society support in action: experiences from our community

Throughout the year, the Biochemical Society offers a programme of grants for all career stages supporting research, attendance at scientific conferences and the sponsorship of events. So far in 2023, we have awarded over £262,000 towards international conference participation, summer laboratory placements and the organization of independent lectures and diversity-related projects. In this article, we are delighted to share a few insights from our community that highlight the variety of projects and opportunities made possible by our funding. For more information about our funding opportunities and the application process, please visit our website.

A policy ethnography study of a Singapore regional health system on its governance adaptations and associated challenges as a project organisation to implement Healthier Singapore

ObjectivesProject organisations reflect a modern and non-bureaucratic form of organising public-sector activities, which promises innovation, entrepreneurship, and order and control to bring about change. This study seeks to investigate the project organisation Singapore Health Services (SingHealth) Region Health System (RHS)'s approach to implementing the Healthier Singapore (HSG) strategy, including models of governance and perceptions of RHS leads, identify the challenges facing the RHS, and to draw insights into the conditions necessary for using project organisation as a policy tool in policy implementation. Study designWe adopted a policy ethnography approach to answering the research question. MethodsThe approach involved: (1) non-participant observation with fieldnotes taken during meetings, events, programme activities, and conferences concerning SingHealth and HSG implementation; (2) analysis of 52 organisational documents; and (3) interviews with 21 senior SingHealth leaders from the RHS Executive Committee, involved in envisioning and overseeing the production of RHS projects to align with the HSG strategy (March to September 2022). ResultsEvidence demonstrates the presence of multiple governance and interactive governance in HSG implementation, including legitimising the RHS as the project organisation; engaging the private corporations; incorporating the citizens; and working with non-governmental organisations. However, the RHS faced many challenges, ranging from governance, workforce, financing, IT infrastructure and care models, problem definition, primary care and legacy issues, knowledge management, and being pandemic-informed in its delivery. ConclusionThe RHS will need to address these challenges through the necessary constitutive, directive, and operational actions, and interactive governance to enhance its institutional capacity to implement the HSG Strategy.

The human factor in agility: Exploring employee dedication in agile project organizations

As project management shifts towards agility, attention has centered on its performance outcomes. Yet, a critical area remains largely untapped: the human dimension. This study dives into the heart of this matter, focusing on the relationship between an agile project organization and the dedication of individual project team members. Venturing beyond traditional approaches, our agile project organization framework comprises five dimensions: culture, customer integration, work method, autonomy, and cross-functional capabilities. Additionally, we probe deeper to unearth the underlying factors that amplify or attenuate the relationship between agility and dedication. Grounded in a triple-informant sample encompassing 286 team members across 70 physical product development projects, our findings affirm not only agility's relationship with dedication but also three boundary conditions: a methodical implementation approach, a clear ideation strategy, and an entrepreneurial orientation. This exploration offers a richer, more holistic understanding, poised to reshape contemporary discourse on agile project management.

RECONSTRUCTION OF THE "UNIFEHT" UNIVERSITY STADIUM DURING THE MILITARY AGGRESSION IN THE CITY OF KHARKIV

The issue of reconstruction of the destroyed stadium "Unifecht" of Kharkiv National University named after V.N. Karazin in the city of Kharkiv during the military aggression by Russia is the subject of research of this article. Unifekht Stadium was the training base of Olympic fencing champions, it was here that world champion Dmytro Karyuchenko, multiple champion of Ukraine Maksym Hvorost, and world champion Olena Voronina mastered the art of rapier. The article examines the proposal of a draft project for the restoration of the "Unifecht" stadium, carried out by the project organization "Institute "Kharkivproekt" on a charitable basis. "Kharkivproekt" Institute has experience in preparing Ukrainian stadiums for international sports competitions. During the Euro-2012 European Football Championship games in Ukraine and Poland, this organization carried out the reconstruction project of the "Metalist" stadium in Kharkiv. Such experience helps to introduce new functional changes and take into account modern requirements during the reconstruction of the destroyed stadium. European requirements and domestic legislation, norms of design and construction of sports facilities are taken into account, factors affecting the complex reconstruction of the stadium are considered. The article describes the work experience and proposals of Ukrainian architects regarding the restoration of a destroyed object under the conditions of martial law in Ukraine. Keywords: sports facilities, multifunctional stadium, reconstruction.

Organization of research activities of gifted children based on network interaction

The increased interest in the problem of giftedness, and factors contributing to the development and self-realization of gifted students have determined the relevance of the research. A promising trend in working with gifted students is networking, which is manifested in the integration of the activities of various organizations. The research problem lies in the development of approaches to the organization of project and research activities of gifted children based on network interaction. The purpose of the research is to create a model for organizing research and project activities of gifted students based on network interaction.During the research the following methods were used: the study of literature and results of activities, analysis, synthesis, generalization, modeling. In the course of the research the principles of an educational system for working with gifted children based on network interaction were developed: consistency; coordination of actions; multilevel, multifunctionality; availability of conditions and services; continuity; targeted orientation of educational services; openness and awareness; adequacy of educational services. The conclusions have been drawn that the network mentoring based on the formation of a «developing network» can become a mechanism that ensures network interaction in working with gifted children. Common elements for the «developing network» are values and meanings, research issues, principles and mechanisms, etc. A productive way to organize the research activities of gifted students is a network project. It is based on a topical issue that is of interest to all categories of participants. The product of joint research activities is not only the project itself, but also the skills of scientific communication that gifted children acquire in the process of working on it.

Investigation of PESTEL factors driving change in capital project organizations

In a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous environment, organizational change has been a central concern for capital project organizations, that continue to suffer from poor project performance in a growing industry. As such, capital project organizations must understand the changing environment and the factors driving change within their organizations to remain successful in a changing environment and adapt to change. To help the capital projects industry achieve successful organizational change efforts, this paper aims to 1) identify the external factors that are pushing capital project organizations to change and 2) investigate whether these factors impact organizations differently. To achieve the desired objective, a total of 22 PESTEL (political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal) factors were identified and validated with a group of 14 subject matter experts and defined via the context of literature. Then, the factors were evaluated via an online survey to understand whether they impact organizations differently based on their age maturity (including contemporary, transitional, and legacy organizations) and type of work (including owners, contractors, and service providers). Findings from this study can provide capital project practitioners and researchers with valuable insights needed to understand the external factors shaping change within the industry.

The Effectiveness of Project Implementation Recognizing the Interaction between LMX and Charismatic Leadership Attainment

The present investigation examines the effectiveness of the implementation facets of the project. This study aims to depict the operational conduct of both followers and leaders within project organizations, specifically in the context of construction companies operating in Thailand’s oil and gas industries, and to explore the effectiveness of their interrelationships. The study examines the impact of charismatic leadership on citizenship behavior, project effectiveness in project organizations, and the point of project implementation. Furthermore, to enhance understanding of the role through a moderated mediation analysis of the theoretical construct within the research paradigm. The study sample comprised 450 individuals who were employed for the project. The study utilized a moderated mediation analysis to collect and analyze the data. The Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) theory provides a theoretical framework for examining the conditional effects of focal predictors at the moderator’s value of LMX. The hypothesis supports the models that the effectiveness of project implementation is more robust when the story of the relationships between charismatic leadership and employees within citizenship behavior and effectiveness be mediation. The findings indicate the leader is optimistic and passionate, which makes followers want to follow and gives them challenging tasks and higher expectations. Under radical organizational change, charisma and trust in a leader are strong. However, research suggests charisma isn’t simple trait leaders have. Accordingly, Leader-Member Exchange did not interact with charismatic leadership’s effect on project implementation through citizenship behavior and effectiveness. Leader-Member Exchange mediates negative affectivity and performance.

Role of TET1-mediated epigenetic modulation in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder influenced by a complex interplay of environmental, epigenetic, and genetic factors. DNA methylation (5mC) and hydroxymethylation (5hmC) are DNA modifications that serve as tissue-specific and temporal regulators of gene expression. TET family enzymes dynamically regulate these epigenetic modifications in response to environmental conditions, connecting environmental factors with gene expression. Previous epigenetic studies have identified 5mC and 5hmC changes associated with AD. In this study, we performed targeted resequencing of TET1 on a cohort of early-onset AD (EOAD) and control samples. Through gene-wise burden analysis, we observed significant enrichment of rare TET1 variants associated with AD (p = 0.04). We also profiled 5hmC in human postmortem brain tissues from AD and control groups. Our analysis identified differentially hydroxymethylated regions (DhMRs) in key genes responsible for regulating the methylome: TET3, DNMT3L, DNMT3A, and MECP2. To further investigate the role of Tet1 in AD pathogenesis, we used the 5xFAD mouse model with a Tet1 KO allele to examine how Tet1 loss influences AD pathogenesis. We observed significant changes in neuropathology, 5hmC, and RNA expression associated with Tet1 loss, while the behavioral alterations were not significant. The loss of Tet1 significantly increased amyloid plaque burden in the 5xFAD mouse (p = 0.044) and lead to a non-significant trend towards exacerbated AD-associated stress response in 5xFAD mice. At the molecular level, we found significant DhMRs enriched in genes involved in pathways responsible for neuronal projection organization, dendritic spine development and organization, and myelin assembly. RNA-Seq analysis revealed a significant increase in the expression of AD-associated genes such as Mpeg1, Ctsd, and Trem2. In conclusion, our results suggest that TET enzymes, particularly TET1, which regulate the methylome, may contribute to AD pathogenesis, as the loss of TET function increases AD-associated pathology.

Development and Validation of a Resilience Scale for Construction Project Organization

Development and Validation of a Resilience Scale for Construction Project Organization

Developing and assessing a collaborative open-ended design project with a renewable energy focus in an introductory thermal sciences course

This paper describes the development and assessment of a collaborative open-ended design project for a second-year Introduction to Thermal Sciences course, in which groups had to design a renewable energy portfolio that would meet the University of San Diego's energy needs. The project was broken into three individual tasks, and the deliverables were a technical report and an oral presentation. Final reports submitted by groups in spring 2022 were directly assessed using rubrics to determine the efficacy of the project at meeting four of the student outcomes addressed by the course (1—ability to solve complex engineering problems, 2—ability to apply the engineering design process, 4—consider the impact of engineering solutions, and 7—ability to acquire and apply new knowledge). Four out of the six groups achieved student outcome 1, and five of the groups achieved student outcomes 2, 4, and 7. A self- and peer-evaluation form was used to indirectly assess student outcome 5—ability to function effectively on a team, and results showed that 27 of the 29 students achieved the outcome. Indirect assessment was performed using an anonymous survey instrument, and students’ responses about how the project improved their abilities in all skills that were assessed were statistically different from neutral in the positive direction. Students’ responses about their perception of the project organization, tasks expectations, timing, and difficulty were also statistically different from neutral in the positive direction. Open-ended feedback indicated that students appreciated learning about renewable energy, having real data from a realistic customer, and the amount of autonomy they were given.

Causes of time overrun in fixed price contracts of tertiary education trust fund (TETFund) building projects in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria

Although there is a growing concern about the performance of the construction industry in the delivery of projects on time, much has not been done to unearth the causes of time overruns in fixed-price contracts such as the tertiary education trust fund (TETFund) projects in Nigeria. This study investigated the causes of time overruns in the TETFund building projects in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria. A survey involving the analysis of records of 60 TETFund building projects awarded between 2015 and 2021 and the administration of questionnaires to 119 informants was conducted. Results of the descriptive and principal component analyses revealed that 68% of the projects experienced time overruns because of fluctuations in the exchange rate and inflationary trends, hyperinflation, additional work, and escalation of the prices of materials. The top three of the eleven dimensions of the causes of time overruns were incompetence in project planning, management, and execution; inadequate project planning and organization, and poor project management. This study implies that to check the prevalence of time overruns in TETFund building projects and their adverse consequences in Nigeria, the selection of contractors should be based on competence, and contractors for TETFund projects should build capacity in handling fixed-price contracts.

Coping with abnormal organizational behaviors in complex project based on network attack theory

PurposeAbnormal behaviors such as rework, backlog, changes and claims generated by project organizations are unavoidable in complex projects. When abnormal behaviors emerge, the previously normal state of interactions between organizations will be altered to some extent. However, previous studies have ignored the associations and interactions between organizations in the context of abnormal organizational behaviors (AOBs), making this challenging to cope with AOBs. As a result, the objective of this paper is to explore how to reduce AOBs in complex projects at the organizational level from a network perspective.Design/methodology/approachTo overcome the inherent limitations of a single case study, this research integrated two data collection methods: questionnaire survey and expert scoring method. The questionnaire survey captured the universal data on the influence possibility of AOBs between complex project organizations and the expert scoring method got the influence probability scores of AOBs between organizations in the case. Using these data, four organizational influence network models of AOBs based on a case were developed to demonstrate how to destroy AOBs networks in complex projects using network attack theory (NAT).FindingsFirst, the findings show that controlling AOBs generated by key organizations preferentially and improving the ability of key organizations can weaken AOBs network, enabling more effective coping strategies. Second, the owners, government, material suppliers and designers are identified as key organizations across all four influence networks of AOBs. Third, change and claim behaviors are more manageable from the organizational level.Practical implicationsProject managers can target specific organizations for intervention, weaken the AOBs network by applying NAT and achieve better project outcomes through coping strategies. Additionally, by taking a network perspective, this research provides a novel approach to comprehending the associations and interactions between organizations in the context of complex projects.Originality/valueThis paper proposes a new approach to investigating AOBs in complex projects by simultaneously examining rework, backlog, change and claim. Leveraging NAT as a novel tool for managing the harmful effects of influence networks, this study extends the knowledge body in the field of organizational behavior (OB) management and complex project management.

The Norwegian degenerative spondylolisthesis and spinal stenosis (NORDSTEN) study: study overview, organization structure and study population

PurposeTo provide an overview of the The Norwegian Degenerative spondylolisthesis and spinal stenosis (NORDSTEN)-study and the organizational structure, and to evaluate the study population.MethodsThe NORDSTEN is a multicentre study with 10 year follow-up, conducted at 18 public hospitals. NORDSTEN includes three studies: (1) The randomized spinal stenosis trial comparing the impact of three different decompression techniques; (2) the randomized degenerative spondylolisthesis trial investigating whether decompression surgery alone is as good as decompression with instrumented fusion; (3) the observational cohort tracking the natural course of LSS in patients without planned surgical treatment. A range of clinical and radiological data are collected at defined time points. To administer, guide, monitor and assist the surgical units and the researchers involved, the NORDSTEN national project organization was established.Corresponding clinical data from the Norwegian Registry for Spine Surgery (NORspine) were used to assess if the randomized NORDSTEN-population at baseline was representative for LSS patients treated in routine surgical practice.ResultsA total of 988 LSS patients with or without spondylolistheses were included from 2014 to 2018. The clinical trials did not find any difference in the efficacy of the surgical methods evaluated. The NORDSTEN patients were similar to those being consecutively operated at the same hospitals and reported to the NORspine during the same time period.ConclusionThe NORDSTEN study provides opportunity to investigate clinical course of LSS with or without surgical interventions. The NORDSTEN-study population were similar to LSS patients treated in routine surgical practice, supporting the external validity of previously published results.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov; NCT02007083 10/12/2013, NCT02051374 31/01/2014 and NCT03562936 20/06/2018.

The past will guide us: What the future could bring according to the last 40 years of IJPM?

This article examines all papers published in the International Journal of Project Management over the last 40 years (1983–2022), identifying research themes. By performing keyword co-occurrence analysis, keywords were clustered into five groups, which served for identification of the most prominent research themes shaping the Journal's publishing history - Performance Management,Risk and Construction Management,Project Governance,Project Planning and Control and Project Success. The results shed light on how these research themes developed and are interconnected over time, while the findings collected using a focus group method have provided the insightful understanding of the future trends in the field of Project Management, Organizing and Studies. It may be expected that future publishing brings a greater number of articles covering challenges of organizations, teams and individuals faced by the 4th Industrial revolution, digital transformation and sustainable development goals (SDGs), as well as articles on project finance and investment-related topics, and articles addressing a project's benefits and values. The main findings of this article may significantly contribute to researchers and PhD candidates in defining the thematic orientation of their studies, educators in creating programs which meet more accurate future demands in project management, and editors for specifying the scope of journals or conference proceedings in order to make them more influential in the research community. This paper may, moreover, serve in the phase of research-design modeling and for those performing bibliometric analyses within the other scientific areas with the intention to potentially anticipate the future research thematic-orientation in their analysis.