Qiu, Y and Chen, H (2023) A systematic review of the knowledge domain of institutional theory in construction project management. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 30(6), pp. 2523-2544. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: The large scale of construction projects and the coexistence of multiple logics in the construction field are sparking interest in applying an institutional perspective to investigate managerial issues in construction projects. However, only a few conceptual papers have been published thus far, and a literature review is needed to identify how that knowledge domain has developed. Based on the results of bibliometric analysis and content analysis, this study proposes potential future avenues for institutional theory in construction project management (ITCPM) studies. Design/methodology/approach: This paper reports a bibliographic coupling analysis and a co-citation analysis conducted to identify existing research trajectories and determine the primary features of the current ITCPM literature. In addition, this paper employed a content analysis, identified the evolutionary stages of ITCPM knowledge over time and built a framework of existing research. Findings: This paper first identified that the existing ITCPM studies evolve through three stages, and that the intellectual core of ITCPM studies can be categorized into five clusters. In addition, this paper proposes that future research can be extended from two existing streams: the institutional responses of project actors and the institutional outcomes of construction projects. This paper proposes several major questions that should be addressed by project management scholars working in both streams in order to develop an understanding of construction projects from an institutional perspective. Originality/value: This is the first literature review of the existing body of knowledge based on a joining of institutional theory and construction project management literature. It uncovers knowledge gaps in contemporary research, notably a lack of broader consideration of how project actors respond to institutional environments and of the institutional outcomes of project management.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | knowledge management; management; project management |
| Index terms: | knowledge management, systematic literature review, construction project management, institutional theory, content analysis, construction project, stream, literature review, bibliometric analysis, body of knowledge, methodology, project management, coupling |
| Subjects: | knowledge management, production management, research evaluation and metrics, project management theory and practice, research methods, sociology, data analysis and analytics, water management, systems engineering, professional development |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Information Management, Engineering Principles, Sustainability, Project Management, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here