Operational challenges in collaborative research projects

Abstract

Purpose Collaborative research projects are highly complex organizational settings with specific needs and inherent risks that can endanger project success if not managed well. The purpose of this paper is to enlarge the knowledge of operational challenges in collaborative research projects to improve both project and conflict management. Design/methodology/approach On the basis of the concept of systemic conflict, this study conducts a conflict analysis of a collaborative research project on food security to establish how multiple conflict drivers interact. Findings The results show that multiple conflict drivers affect the operation of collaborative research projects and the drivers also interact and do not function in isolation. The study also finds that the importance of some drivers differs when comparing project members’ perceptions with the number of interlinkages between drivers. A conflict map is provided to visualize the results. Research limitations/implications The empirical evidence provided in this study is limited because it relies on a single case study and on project members’ perceptions. Practical implications The research can help not only the research community and, in particular, project management but also funding bodies in dealing with the unpredictability of outcomes created by project dynamics. In addition, the results can feed into future research, project design and management strategies. Originality/value The study applies multidimensional conflict analysis to a field that is understudied.

Enhancing communication and collaboration in collaborative projects through conflict prevention and management systems

“…Furthermore, it is found that conflict drivers do not function in isolation, but interact (Löhr et al, 2018, Paper 1 (chapter 3.1, table 2)), making systemic perspectives on processes and management necessary (Löhr et al, 2018, Paper 1 (chapter 3.1, figure 2)).…”

“…Projects are increasingly being established in response to calls for proposals, resulting in funding requirements directly impacting project consortia membership (Protogerou et al, 2010, Adler et al, 2009. This assumption of influence is supported by a study of interrelations between different conflict drivers in a transdisciplinary research project that finds that project design and implementation is heavily influenced by the donor agency's terms and conditions for funding (Löhr et al, 2018, Paper 1 (chapter 3.1)).…”

“…Drivers of Conflict and Possible Project Failure in a Transdisciplinary Research Project LÖHR, K.,BONATTI, M., HOMEN, L., SCHLINDWEIN, S. & SIEBER, S. 2018. …”

Understanding systemic land use dynamics in conflict-affected territories: The cases of Cesar and Caquetá, Colombia

“…System dynamics, widely believed to be critical for handling the complexity facing the world, comprises a set of conceptual tools that enable understanding the structure and dynamics of complex systems [ 47 ]. In other words, system dynamics allows for taking a problem apart and reassembling it to understand its components and causal relationships [ 48 , 49 ]. CLDs are a useful tool within this approach, helping to provide a broad range of insights and implications [ 50 ] that can be used as the basis for developing actions and implementing policy [ 51 ].…”