Applying institutional theories to managing megaprojects

Abstract

This paper contributes to Rodney Turner's initiative to develop a theory of project management from practice. Organizational scholars studying strategy suggest that more attention needs to be paid to practices involved in organizing, as well as the institutional contexts in which these practices are embedded. Taking a cue from strategy-in-practice approaches, it is proposed that institutional theories can be used to address some questions that have not been answered adequately regarding megaprojects. Institutional theories also seem to be gaining the attention of scholars investigating large, global, infrastructure projects as reported in engineering, management and construction journals. Increasingly, it is evident that the problem areas attached to these projects stretch beyond technical issues: they must be considered as socio-technical endeavours embedded in complex institutional frames. The authors suggest that studying how to deal with institutional differences in the environment of megaprojects has both theoretical and practical implications.

Behavior Selection of Stakeholders toward Megaproject Social Responsibility: Perspective from Social Action Theory

“…Considering the project and social attributes of megaprojects, the external context is extensive, involving many influencing factors, including constraints of macro systems (e.g., laws and regulations, contract documents) and impacts of project characteristics (e.g., major project types and construction environmental conditions) [14,25]. Scholars discussed the application value of institutional theory in major projects [26], and the role of institutional norms has gradually attracted the attention of scholars in the field of construction engineering. IP is an obvious external influence factor, but its influence is inconsistent due to differences in research perspectives.…”

“…erefore, the selection of "standards engineering" to create a typical model of social responsibility behavior, give play to the influence of experts and scholars, speed up the formulation of megaproject social responsibility industry norms and assessment mechanisms, and create a good learning atmosphere for social responsibility practices and other practices will greatly benefit the entire society and megaprojects. In addition, the application of institutional theory in megaproject, which has a positive effect on social stability and regulation of megaproject construction behavior, should be continuously explored by scholars [26].…”

The Modelling of Roof Installation Projects Using Decision Trees and the AHP Method

“…In the field of stewardship theory, an opinion given is that understanding the institutional framing, underpinnings and logic of mega projects can provide the key to successful delivery of solutions in water, transportation, energy, communications, health, education and a variety of related sectors, through the development of best practices for building social, organisational and political legitimacy that can enhance the security and stability of the role that such projects play in an increasingly interconnected world [18].…”

Systems Thinking Using SSM and TRIZ for Stakeholder Engagement in Infrastructure Megaprojects

“…Miller et al, in their study of more than 60 infrastructure megaprojects over a period of 20 years [10], highlight that these projects are rarely built with in-house resources but bring in multiple stakeholders in the form of sponsors, experts, contractors, government agencies, opposing stakeholders and other external players. Rather than the mere number of different organizational entities in the megaproject, it is the institutional differences such as divergent perceptions regarding the legitimate means and ends of the project that are a source of project complexity [11,12]. These stakeholders are from diverse occupational and cultural backgrounds with different levels and types of interests, values and rationality [13,14].…”