Dimensions of governance in interorganizational project networks
International Journal of Managing Projects in Business
ISSN: 1753-8378
Article publication date: 17 August 2020
Issue publication date: 6 April 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to create a framework to analyze approaches for coordination, adaptation and safeguarding of exchanges in interorganizational project networks.
Design/methodology/approach
An analysis framework to analyze governance in project networks was created based on a systematic review of existing literature. The framework was applied to analyze governance approaches used in a large infrastructure project implemented with an alliance project delivery method to illustrate the practical validity of the framework.
Findings
The analysis framework categorized governance in project networks in six dimensions: goal setting, rewarding, monitoring, roles and decision-making, coordination and capability building. A set of questions for each governance dimension was created and the analysis framework was applied in the context of a project alliance.
Research limitations/implications
The focus of this research is on governance internal to a project network. The authors identified dimensions of governance in project networks and related governance approaches based on a systematic literature review. The practical applicability of the framework was validated in a single case study setting.
Practical implications
The paper introduces a concept of governance in project networks, which takes the perspective that all actors that have an influence on project implementation are part of an interorganizational project network. The focal organization may have had a significant role in the design of governance, but governance also emerged from the network structure of companies and the interactions among them. The analysis framework created in this research can be used to design and analyze governance in different type of project context.
Originality/value
The paper introduces a concept of governance in project networks, which takes the perspective that all actors that have an influence on project implementation are part of an interorganizational project network.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper extends on previous research that has been presented in European Academy of Management (EURAM) conference, 1-4 June 2016, Paris, France.
Citation
Kujala, J., Aaltonen, K., Gotcheva, N. and Lahdenperä, P. (2021), "Dimensions of governance in interorganizational project networks", International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, Vol. 14 No. 3, pp. 625-651. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-12-2019-0312
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited