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Managing inter-firm industrial projects -- on pacing and matching hierarchies

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  • Dahlgren, J.
  • Söderlund, J.

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to present a conceptual framework useful for understanding and analyzing the management and organization of the execution phase of inter-firm industrial projects. On the basis of an exploratory case study of a project within the ABB (Asea Brown Boveri) Group, we develop two concepts. One is pacing, which focuses on the mutual coordination of activities between client and contractor. Pacing refers to the temporal orientation of the parties involved in inter-firm projects. The other concept is matching hierarchies, which focuses on how the interacting parties establish joint-decision making in order to handle overall project-related dependencies and conflicts. The suggested concepts are linked to each other in the sense that a configuration with matching hierarchies provides the arena for solving pacing problems, while, on the other hand, the pacing process provides the mechanism for linking hierarchies.

Suggested Citation

  • Dahlgren, J. & Söderlund, J., 2001. "Managing inter-firm industrial projects -- on pacing and matching hierarchies," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 10(3), pages 305-322, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:10:y:2001:i:3:p:305-322
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    References listed on IDEAS

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