Khattak, M S and Mustafa, U (2019) Management competencies, complexities and performance in engineering infrastructure projects of Pakistan. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 26(7), pp. 1321-1347. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: The complexity of projects has become a serious issue and obstacle in their successful completion. In order to overcome these complexities, it has become imperative to identify the relevant management competencies of project managers. The purpose of this paper is to address the problem of cost, time and scope in engineering infrastructure projects due to their complexities through management competencies. Design/methodology/approach: In the first phase of the study, 32 experts were interviewed through semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire. In this phase, essential elements of complexities were identified initially. This was followed by finding required dimensions of competencies to counter these complexities and to acquire improved performance. In the final stage, required levels of competencies for specific elements of complexity were identified. In the second phase, 85 “project managers” were also approached to get feedback about their recently completed public sector engineering infrastructure projects in Pakistan. Findings: The study identified additional dimensions, i.e. honesty, enthusiasm and dedication, in the case of competencies and adverse law and order situation, political instability, land issues, energy crisis and weak authorization of project managers in the case of complexities. Leadership, management skill, communication skill, effectiveness and result orientation were identified as top quality traits required. The study concluded that there is a significant impact of management competencies and complexities on project performance. Originality/value: The study contributes to a better understanding of how to improve performance in complex engineering infrastructure projects through adopting management competencies. It also empirically illustrates the relations among project management competencies, complexities and project performance. Although the research is grounded on public sector infrastructure projects, its findings may also be helpful for practices in project management of other sectors.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Pakistan; project complexities; project management competencies; project performance; public sector infrastructure projects |
| Index terms: | project management, infrastructure project, dimension, land, communication skill, project performance, effectiveness, public sector, project manager, project complexity, complexity, questionnaire, Pakistan, methodology, project management competency |
| Subjects: | real estate economics, health monitoring assessment and metrics, profession, data collection methods, systems engineering, infrastructure and transport systems, administrative law, performance management, research methods, management, project management theory and practice, professional development, organizational theory, Geography |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Geographical Context, Project Management, Information Management, Engineering Principles, Health and Safety, Roles and Professions, Quality Management, Legal Issues, Urban Studies, Organizational Design |
| 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