Building with technology, management and innovation: challenges for Vanuatu

While small island developing states are seen to possess specific and exceptional characteristics, it is not known whether technology application or management practice in development projects in these states would necessarily be specific and exceptional in nature. This paper examines a school building project in the Republic of Vanuatu and reviews the technology and management aspects of project delivery. The paper concludes that there is evidence of specific attributes. In recognising the key role of management as an enabler of technology application, the paper proposes an update to existing project management practices, suitable to the development context. Including a knowledge perspective as an evolving method of control enables management to assume a wider developmental role and importance through the project management office structure, potentially enabling administrative innovation and co-evolution of the office and the host organisation. This wider role is made possible through the specific attributes of the small island developing state context.