Research and development projects: An empirical investigation of project managers’ traits
International Journal of Managing Projects in Business
ISSN: 1753-8378
Article publication date: 23 April 2018
Issue publication date: 15 August 2018
Abstract
Purpose
Leadership behaviour of R&D project managers (RDPMs) is a matter of ongoing interest, as they require a number of traits in order to potentially influence the delivery of projects. However, little empirical evidence exists on factors explaining the traits of RDPMs, making it difficult for industry managers to develop tailored strategies and criteria for selecting people with right skills and behaviours. The purpose of this paper is to fill this gap in knowledge.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors test 45 traits with data from a survey of 208 RDPMs, using exploratory factor analysis to establish factors of RDPMs’ traits and the associated measurement items.
Findings
The study finds that selected 45 traits can be consolidated in a set of higher order variables/factors that RDPMs need to have including creativity, reasoning and learning; risks and failure acceptance; analytical and originality attributes; realistic and objective approach among others.
Research limitations/implications
The study shows that traits have strong inter-relationship represented by empirically robust underlying factors.
Practical implications
Practically, the results will help industry mangers in implementing tailored strategies in consolidated areas (as identified through factors) and be more effective in skills and competencies development of research and development staff and potentially save costs on human inventory management.
Originality/value
The study empirically established new managerial and leadership behavioural factors.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the editor and two anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and insightful suggestions on an earlier version of the paper.
Citation
Ram, J. and Ronggui, D. (2018), "Research and development projects: An empirical investigation of project managers’ traits", International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, Vol. 11 No. 4, pp. 913-934. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-03-2017-0032
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited