Hadjistephanou, P (2007) The Olympic Games: a demonstration of the positive and negative side of project management. PhD thesis, Keele University, UK.
Abstract
This thesis will try to delineate and extrapolate a mode for consideration of project management in practice, with particular emphasis upon both the political, institutional and commercial aspects of project management practices of the Olympic Games. The research will produce a project management framework identifying relevant variables for the success organisation of the Olympic Games project. ' .. The writer examines the Olympic Games as a project in two case studies: The Atlanta and Athens Games are analysed with respect to various criteria such as the political and administrative structure, finances and the outcomes or multiplier effects that have- come about as a result of the Olympics. What is really important in the organisation of the Games, why there is not stability, what are the typical difficulties encountered, etc. are' questions that the thesis examines through reference to project management theory. The 1996 and 2004 case studies allowed the writer to look at the organisation of the Olympics with particular attention to the practicalities of their realisation and in the process see things that otherwise might not have been seen. The two case studies focus on specific dimensions (project management approaches/techniques used, commercial aspects, political dimensions and logistical subproject requirements), which are compared consistently across both cases. The thesis is an attempt to analyse the Organising Committee's (Project Manager) role to develop a co-operative relationship with all parties (Host City _ authorities, local community, government, the IOC, etc.) involved in the Olympic Games organisation to fully explore the potentials of the project. Its involvement is required at all stages of the project, from the identification of needs to the design, and implementation of arrangements to satisfy them. The Olympic Games, as a project, takes a certain level of development, infrastructure, and resources. Accommodation, construction, transportation, technology and security are the main challenges that most Organising Committees face. The Olympic Games have appeared as one of the central discursive resources for representing reality, be it political, economic or social.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | management theory; commercial; project management practice; Olympic Games; case study |
| Index terms: | dimension, operative, Olympic Games, project management, face, implementation, case study, stability, level of development, project management practice, project manager, management theory |
| Subjects: | management, health monitoring assessment and metrics, contractual arrangements, sociology, psychology, project management theory and practice, data collection methods, practitioner, design practice, profession, structural engineering |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Research Practice, Project Management, Health and Safety, Procurement, Urban Studies, Roles and Professions, Design Practice, Organizational Design, Engineering Principles |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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