A Bibliometric View on the Use of Contingency Theory in Project Management Research

Abstract

Contingency theory has influenced organization theory since the 1950s. Project management research has only recently started to consider context factors. In this area, applications of contingency theory still represent a fragmented field with a nonuniform use of terminology. Fully utilizing the contingency theory approach requires a systematic foundation. This article presents an overview of contingency theory in both permanent and temporary organizations. In a bibliometric study based on 1,622 articles from four academic project management journals, we identify dominating authors, prevalent keywords, and different focal areas in project contingency theory as well as the most researched project types.

Do Daily Scrums Have to Take Place Each Day? A Case Study of Customized Scrum Principles at an E-commerce Company

“…Our findings indicate that not all Scrum principles are suitable in each context. This assertion is in line with research based on the contingency approach [30][31][32][33], which deems the universalistic 'one size fits all' approach inadequate. While the latter stems from the early years of project management [34] and treats organizations and projects as fundamentally similar to each other [35], the former suggests the most effective approach to account for given contingencies [36].…”

Project studies and engaged scholarship

“…In contrast to bibliometric studies looking for links between researchers (e.g. Artto et al 2009;Pollack & Adler 2014;Hanisch & Wald 2012) and the perspective of research as conversations (Huff 1999), we explore the relationship between research and researcher, and how each one of us project scholars plays an active role in conceptualising our research individually, and, in so doing, influencings the direction of our community, and vice-versa. 'We' (or 'our community') refers to the community of scholars studying projects, temporary organizations, project organizing, the management of projects, and project management.…”

Combining the scenario technique with bibliometrics for technology foresight: The case of personalized medicine

“…In the context of technology foresight, qualitative analysis is often needed to perform an in-depth evaluation of contextual factors, e.g, public funding, or market needs (Hanisch and Wald, 2012;Niu, 2014). To identify emerging technologies, this need is underpinned by the fact that scientific success does not necessarily lead to market success or innovation breakthroughs.…”