Nguyen, T S; Mohamed, S and Mostafa, S (2024) Optimising project outcomes in complex environments: Empirical insights on agile practices and stakeholder dynamics. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 14(4), pp. 590-606. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
Purpose: This study delves into the dynamics between Agile Response to Change (AR), Adaptive Scoping (AS), Stakeholder Engagement (SE) and Project Performance (PP), with a special focus on the moderating influence of Project Complexity (PC). The research, grounded in a thorough literature review, identifies critical gaps in these areas and examines the extent to which PC moderates the effects of AR, AS and SE on PP, offering new perspectives for managing complex projects. Design/methodology/approach: The research develops a conceptual model based on a critical analysis of existing literature. A comprehensive questionnaire was designed, incorporating 28 items to measure AR, AS, SE, PP and PC. Data was collected from 136 project managers across various industries, and the responses were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) to explore the complex interplay between these variables. Findings: The analysis revealed that internal AR (ARint) significantly enhances both quantitative (PPqt) and qualitative aspects of PP (PPql). AS and SE were found to positively influence PPql, but their impact on PPqt was not significant. Interestingly, PC was observed to negatively moderate the relationship between ARint and PPql, while its moderating effect on the relationship between ARint and PPql was not significant. The study also notes that PC does not significantly alter the positive correlations between AS, SE and PPql. Originality/value: This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by elucidating the relationships between ARint, AS, SE and different dimensions of PP. It uniquely explores the role of PC as a moderating variable in these relationships, offering valuable insights for practitioners and researchers in the field of complex project management.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | adaptive scoping; agile response to change; project complexity; project performance; stakeholder engagement |
| Index terms: | project manager, project outcome, literature review, structural equation modelling, stakeholder engagement, practitioner, project performance, questionnaire, methodology, dynamics, project complexity, body of knowledge, complex project, dimension |
| Subjects: | practitioner, community and social dimensions, project completion, profession, data collection methods, health monitoring assessment and metrics, strategic project management, data analysis and analytics, knowledge management, project management theory and practice, organizational theory, research methods, statistical analysis, systems engineering |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Stakeholder Management, Project Management, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Information Management, Health and Safety |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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