IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v12y2020i24p10542-d463263.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Modern Project Management Approaches in Uncertainty Environments: A Comparative Study Based on Action Research

Author

Listed:
  • Unai Apaolaza

    (Mondragon Goi Eskola Politeknikoa, Mondragon Unibertsitatea, 20500 Mondragon, Spain)

  • Aitor Lizarralde

    (Mondragon Goi Eskola Politeknikoa, Mondragon Unibertsitatea, 20500 Mondragon, Spain)

  • Aitor Oyarbide-Zubillaga

    (Department of Mechanics, Design and Organization, University of Deusto, 48007 Bilbao, Spain)

Abstract

Change and high uncertainty levels are the main characteristics of current project contexts. Years ago, the traditional project management faced problems when operating in these environments. Thus, at the end of the 20th century, new project management approaches were conceived to provide a more effective answer to such contexts. These methods propose a different approach, aimed at promoting the project flow by focusing on the short term. However, their adoption involves certain adjustments from a managerial perspective. The influence on the way resources are used is of special interest, as it may cause unexpected behaviors and reactions. The literature vastly analyzes the features and benefits of these methods. Nevertheless, there is a lack of empirical evidence about both the practical implications of the transition process toward them and their superior performance. Thus, this research aims to contribute to filling this gap by providing real-world based evidence related to the change process from a traditional project management approach to a flow-driven one. With this objective in mind, we analyzed the transition processes experienced by two design departments from companies of different industries. The results of the study confirm that the adoption of this type of approach can improve an organization’s performance and simplify its project management system. Therefore, we consider that our findings are useful for anybody interested in these methodologies. From the academic perspective, the evidence obtained in this study contributes to supporting the research works suggested by the literature. Furthermore, it can be helpful to guide further research and extend current knowledge. Additionally, they can assist companies in the improvement of their current project management approaches.

Suggested Citation

  • Unai Apaolaza & Aitor Lizarralde & Aitor Oyarbide-Zubillaga, 2020. "Modern Project Management Approaches in Uncertainty Environments: A Comparative Study Based on Action Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-16, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:24:p:10542-:d:463263
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/24/10542/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/24/10542/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lutz, Stefan & Loedding, Hermann & Wiendahl, Hans-Peter, 2003. "Logistics-oriented inventory analysis," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 85(2), pages 217-231, August.
    2. Platts, K. W. & Mills, J. F. & Bourne, M. C. & Neely, A. D. & Richards, A. H. & Gregory, M. J, 1998. "Testing manufacturing strategy formulation processes," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 56(1), pages 517-523, September.
    3. Mandyam M. Srinivasan & William D. Best & Sridhar Chandrasekaran, 2007. "Warner Robins Air Logistics Center Streamlines Aircraft Repair and Overhaul," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 37(1), pages 7-21, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Unai Apaolaza & Aitor Lizarralde, 2020. "Managing Multiple Projects in Uncertain Contexts: A Case Study on the Application of a New Approach Based on the Critical Chain Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-13, July.
    2. Unai Apaolaza & Aitor Orue & Aitor Lizarralde & Aitor Oyarbide-Zubillaga, 2022. "Competitive Improvement through Integrated Management of Sales and Operations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-18, February.
    3. Adamides, Emmanuel D. & Pomonis, Nikolaos, 2009. "The co-evolution of product, production and supply chain decisions, and the emergence of manufacturing strategy," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 121(2), pages 301-312, October.
    4. Lilian Adriana Borges & Kim Hua Tan, 2017. "Incorporating human factors into the AAMT selection: a framework and process," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(5), pages 1459-1470, March.
    5. de Vries, Jan, 2007. "Diagnosing inventory management systems: An empirical evaluation of a conceptual approach," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 108(1-2), pages 63-73, July.
    6. Kayakutlu, Gulgun & Buyukozkan, Gulcin, 2011. "Assessing performance factors for a 3PL in a value chain," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(2), pages 441-452, June.
    7. Selerio, Egberto & Maglasang, Renan, 2021. "Minimizing production loss consequent to disasters using a subsidy optimization model: a pandemic case," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 112-124.
    8. Sreedevi, R. & Saranga, Haritha, 2017. "Uncertainty and supply chain risk: The moderating role of supply chain flexibility in risk mitigation," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 332-342.
    9. Hallgren, Mattias & Olhager, Jan, 2006. "Quantification in manufacturing strategy: A methodology and illustration," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 104(1), pages 113-124, November.
    10. Ang, James S.K. & Shimada, Tomoaki & Quek, Ser-Aik & Lim, Eugene, 2015. "Manufacturing strategy and competitive performance – An ACE analysis," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 240-252.
    11. Erin C. McKie & Sanjay Laxman Ahire, 2024. "Enhancing the Reach of Socially Missioned Nonprofits: Insights from a TOC-LP Application," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 54(2), pages 127-146, March.
    12. Miltenburg, John, 2008. "Setting manufacturing strategy for a factory-within-a-factory," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 113(1), pages 307-323, May.
    13. Larrucea, Xabier & Nanclares, Felix & Santamaria, Izaskun, 2016. "A method for defining a regional software ecosystem strategy: Colombia as a case study," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 247-258.
    14. Altendorfer, Klaus & Jodlbauer, Herbert, 2011. "Which utilization and service level lead to the maximum EVA?," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 130(1), pages 16-26, March.
    15. Roberto Vona & Nadia Di Paola, 2014. "Lean thinking in sanit?: il caso della logistica degli approvvigionamenti e della distribuzione ospedaliera dei farmaci," MECOSAN, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2014(91), pages 105-122.
    16. Pinheiro de Lima, Edson & Eduardo Gouvêa da Costa, Sérgio & Reis de Faria, Avides, 2009. "Taking operations strategy into practice: Developing a process for defining priorities and performance measures," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 122(1), pages 403-418, November.
    17. Dinis, Duarte & Barbosa-Póvoa, Ana & Teixeira, Ângelo Palos, 2019. "A supporting framework for maintenance capacity planning and scheduling: Development and application in the aircraft MRO industry," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 218(C), pages 1-15.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:24:p:10542-:d:463263. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.