The concept of organisational projectification: past, present and beyond?

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the past 25 years of the research on projectification, focusing especially on organisational aspects of projectification, as well as to discuss recent developments and potential future research directions.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a discussion paper, which draws on previously published research and data.

Findings

The first section identifies contexts in which projectification has taken place (projectification of) and the organisational process by which this has taken place (projectification through). Using an illustrative example based on publicly available data, the second section shows an extension of the organisational phenomenon, referred to as advanced organisational projectification. The paper concludes with a synthesised framework of organisational projectification.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides a personal reflection and commentary and is focused on the conceptualisation of the term rather than an all-encompassing study of projectification. Based on the discussion, the paper presents a synthesised view of organisational projectification as well as directions for future research to advance the understanding of projectification.

Practical implications

The study has implications for policy-makers in the design of the process of ongoing projectification and provides illustrations and a warning concerning the assumptions that are made as an organisation advances in its projectification.

Originality/value

This paper provides an elaboration of one of the focal concepts of project studies, extending some of the key elements of project management research.

Citation

Maylor, H. and Turkulainen, V. (2019), "The concept of organisational projectification: past, present and beyond?", International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, Vol. 12 No. 3, pp. 565-577. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-09-2018-0202