Project Management

Name of the Researcher: Dr. Maximilian Müller (Germany)

Supervisors: Constanta-Nikoleta Bodea (Romania), Mladen Radujković (Slovenia)

Abstract:

In complex projects, traditional hierarchical leadership models are increasingly reaching their limits. Shared leadership offers a valuable approach, defined as the distribution of leadership tasks amongst several team members. Empirical studies show a positive correlation with, amongst other things, project success. However, little is known about how shared leadership emerges. Based on empirical research into product development project teams, this thesis examines the factors and dynamics that lead to the emergence of distributed leadership. A conceptual framework explains how shared leadership emerges through interaction processes and through top-down and bottom-up motivations and provides concrete guidance for its targeted implementation in practice.

Scientific impact:

The dissertation contributes to leadership and project management research by integrating shared leadership theory with complexity and emergence perspectives. It conceptualizes leadership as a dynamic, processual phenomenon and identifies detailed mechanisms and sequential steps through which leadership functions arise, are accepted, and stabilize within project teams under conditions of complexity.

Practical impact:

The findings provide actionable guidance for organizations, project managers, and team leaders on how to foster shared leadership intentionally. Transparency around leadership functions, alignment of shared goals, and systematic empowerment of team members enable organizations to better cope with project complexity and to enhance leadership effectiveness in product development and project-based environments.

Contact: maximilian.mueller87@gmail.com

Name of the Researcher: Gunnar Lühr (Germany)

Supervisors: Marian Bosch-Rekveldt (Netherlands); Mladen Radujković (Slovenia)

Abstract: Construction projects are frequently characterised by cost- and time overruns and poor quality and safety conditions. One of the reasons for these conditions is found in the common adversarial project cultures. ‘Partnering’ as a management approach and the ‘Last Planner^Ò System of Production Control’ as a business approach both try to overcome these adversarial project cultures and strive for partner-like conditions between the project members. These two approaches show some obvious interfaces, and the question arises if the ‘Last Planner^Ò System of Production Control’, which core idea is to involve all stakeholders in a transparent and joint planning process, influences project cultures from traditional- towards partnering project cultures.

To answer this question, this dissertation is divided into four explorative parts which all were implemented through mixed methods: First, it was investigated how project culture can be measured under the aspects of partnering. Second, the common project culture and the intended partnering culture were defined. Third, the impact of the ‘Last Planner^Ò System of Production Control’ was investigated by comparing projects not applying it and those applying it and by putting the findings in the context of the common- and the intended partnering culture. Forth, the relevance of these findings was discussed with practitioners that focus strategically on partnering and have experience in this field.

The dissertation’s main finding is that the Last Planner^Ò System of Production Control’s implementation does not necessarily lead towards a higher level of partnering. It does lead to a high level of mutual control which enables all project members to distinguish who acts partner like, and who does not.

Scientific impact: The dissertation’s findings contribute to the scientific debate about the trust vs. control dilemma as it shows that the Last Planner^Ò System, as a structured and transparent production control meeting approach, leads towards a project culture which is characterised by a reciprocal understanding about the trustworthiness of individual project members.

Practical impact: The findings of this dissertation give decision-makers in-depth information about the advantages of implementing the Last PlannerÒ System as a project management application but show also that further efforts are necessary to shape partnering cultures in construction projects.

Contact: gunnar.luehr@th-koeln.de

Name of the Researcher: Reinhard Wagner (Germany)

Supervisors: Mladen Radujković (Slovenia); Rolf Lundin (Sweden)

Abstract: This dissertation explores the phenomenon of projectification in our society, characterized by an increase in the number and importance of projects, along with the accompanying changes. Although research on this phenomenon has been underway for more than 25 years, no systematic investigation at the societal level has been conducted. There has also been very little research on the process of projectification with its drivers, actors, and interrelations. In this dissertation, we have analysed the current state, evolution, and drivers of ever-increasing projectification, applying institutional theory for the first time. By combining qualitative and quantitative methods, we identified relevant actors and institutions and their influence on the projectification process, and gained valuable insights for further research and practice.

Using Germany as an example, the results show that projectification is well advanced in the economy, while other areas of society are lagging behind. The application of institutional theory opens promising perspectives for identifying key actors and answering the main research question: "Which impact do institutions have on the projectification of society?" Taking the example of a project management association in Germany, our research reveals that it is primarily cultural-cognitive and regulative institutions that mediate actors' activities and thereby impact the projectification of society. This contrasts markedly with the prevailing opinion in the literature and is just one example of the surprising results of this dissertation.

Scientific impact: This dissertation served as the starting point for a series of follow-up studies on this topic, both in other countries and from new perspectives, such as the impact of varying institutional logics.

Practical impact: The findings of this dissertation enable decision-makers in the public and private sectors, as well as professional associations, to evaluate their options for addressing the growing number of projects and to determine the framework conditions to be established.

Contact: reinhard.wagner@almamater.si

Name of the Researcher: Amin Saidoun (France)

Supervisors: Mladen Radujković (Slovenia); Constanta Bodea (Rumania)

Abstract: This research delves into the impact of leadership, specifically through Leader-Leader exchange (LLX) and shared values as specific leadership competences, project team result orientation, and personal communication -critical project management competences- on project success within NPOs. The thesis addresses the relationship between these competences and project success. After the introduction the pivotal success factors in NPO projects are presented before using mixed research methodological approach consisting on structural equation modelling, the bootstrap method, applied to data collected from an international survey. This survey targeted over 100 NPOs, involving 205 participants. Complementing the quantitative approach, focus groups and ethnographic interviews were conducted to validate and enhance the findings. The core findings underscore the significance of leadership and shared values in enhancing project success within NPOs. Notably, personal communication emerges as a crucial moderating variable that amplifies the impact of leadership and shared values on project success. A noteworthy research finding is that the result orientation competence of the project team exhibits a higher influence on project success compared to the positive effect of the project manager's leadership competence.

Scientific impact: This dissertation opens new avenues for research by proposing a new model in which moderating and mediating factors may be replaced with different competency elements to better understand their impact on project success within NPOs. Furthermore, the dissertation provides a foundation for applying the model across various types of NPOs, including those operating entirely with volunteers as well as those staffed exclusively by paid professionals.

Practical impact: The findings of this dissertation highlight the importance for practitioners to prioritize leadership and specific project management competences when recruiting project managers and staffing projects. These competences are critical not only for strengthening the relationship between project managers and project sponsors, but also for enhancing collaboration among project sponsors themselves, who must make strategic trade-offs and prioritize projects effectively in order to achieve the mission of the NPO.

Contact: amin.saidoun@grenoble-em.com

Name of the Researcher: Ulohomuno Eze Afieroho (Nigeria)

Supervisors: Yongkui Li (China); Yilong Han (China)

Abstract: Engaging communities is crucial for understanding, identifying and mainstreaming social value outcomes in urban infrastructure Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). Decision makers in the public policy arena increasingly describe an engaged community as key to the successful design and implementation of public-private partnerships. Despite this understanding, the "actual work and daily practice" of government tends to lurk behind most external stakeholder engagement research. The result is that the strategies used by the government to reimagine, and reconfigure the socio-political context and facilitate a transformational approach to community engagement are often ignored. Adopting a governmentality lens and a design science research method, this dissertation refocuses attention on the steering role of government as the dominant stakeholder in the engagement process. To do so, we explore the macro and micro dimensions of community engagement within the context of urban infrastructure, through a rich case context (Nigeria’s socio-political context) and an embedded case (the Lekki-Epe expressway). We then develop, validate, and evaluate a framework, grounded in the kernel theories of meta-organising and responsibilization, to provides theoretical and practical guidance for facilitating transformational community engagement and pursuing a social value agenda. The Nigerian context provides a useful context in this regard, since mobilizing private capital to address infrastructure deficits remains a formidable task for governments and policymakers. This situation is also common in most sub-Saharan African countries.

Scientific impact: This dissertation advances PPP research by shifting focus to government's steering role in community engagement through governmentality theory. It introduces a novel synthesis of meta‑organising and responsibilization, and applies design science within a Nigerian case to challenge Western‑centric assumptions, offering a replicable, theory‑driven framework.

Practical impact: The dissertation provides policymakers with a validated framework for transformational community engagement that pursues social value in PPPs. It offers practical guidance to reconfigure government routines and responsibilities, helping resource‑constrained contexts like sub‑Saharan Africa mobilise private capital, reduce community resistance, and embed social value in infrastructure delivery.

Contact: ezeuloho@yahoo.com

Author: Tomaž Kokot 

Title: The Link Between Job Satisfaction and Motivational Factors with Increasing Productivity in a Project-Organized IT Company 

Institution: Alma Mater Europaea – European Centre Maribor, Doctoral Programme in Project Management 

Mentor: Prof. Dr. Matej Mertik; Co-mentor: Prof. Dr. Mladen Radujković 

Defended: Maribor, March 2024

Topic and research gap

The thesis examines how the rapid expansion of working from home (WFH), accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has affected employee motivation, satisfaction and productivity in small and medium-sized IT companies (SMITCs) in Slovenia, which represent around 99.8% of all Slovenian companies. The author identifies a gap in the literature: although Herzberg's two-factor theory of motivation is widely used, its applicability to project-organized IT companies under remote-work conditions had not been studied in this specific way.

Theoretical framework

The work is built on three pillars: (1) Herzberg's two-factor theory (hygiene factors vs. motivators), (2) project-based organizational structure in IT companies, and (3) the Work from Home (WFH) concept, including its effects on productivity and how productivity can be measured.

Research questions and hypotheses

The central question is: How is Herzberg's two-factor theory impacted by working from home, supported by flexible management and ICT? Two hypotheses are tested:

• H1: Motivational factors (flexible working hours, better work-life balance, greater independence) positively affect productivity when working from home, in line with Herzberg's theory.
• H2: Control mechanisms used in regular work positively affect productivity when working from home and strengthen the link between Herzberg's motivational factors and productivity.

Methodology

A mixed-methods design was used, combining theoretical and empirical work:

• Theoretical part: systematic literature review using VOSviewer for bibliometric analysis of Scopus/SCI sources.
• Quantitative part: a Likert-scale survey administered to 100 employees from 5 Slovenian SMITCs with consistent remote-work experience, followed by statistical analysis (factor analysis, correlations) and decision-tree analysis.
• Qualitative part: focus groups with 8 employees (two from each of four companies) whose questions were derived from the decision-tree results, plus thematic analysis.

Key findings

• High overall satisfaction with WFH, driven mainly by flexibility of working hours, work-life balance and independence(strong positive correlations with satisfaction: r ≈ 0.55–0.65, p < 0.001).
• A clear positive link between satisfaction and motivation (r ≈ 0.62), and between motivation and productivity, although correlations between individual motivational factors and productivity were statistically significant but weaker.
• Productivity is higher when employees can choose their own working hours, save commuting time, and work in an adapted home environment.
• Trust in employees is more important than strict control; respondents reported no major loss of team spirit, feedback or interaction with supervisors when working remotely.
• Digital literacy emerged as a critical enabler of productivity in WFH settings.
• H1 was confirmed. H2 could not be confirmed or rejected — the data did not provide enough detail on actual control practices to draw a definitive conclusion; further research is recommended.

Contribution to science

The main scientific contribution is an extension of Herzberg's two-factor theory to the modern remote-work context in project-organized IT SMEs. The author proposes an updated version of Herzberg's factors that adds "working from home" as a new hygiene factor and "work-life balance" as a new motivator. A practical conceptual motivation model for remote work is also presented, with implications for project managers in SMITCs.

Limitations

The study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic on a Slovenian sample of 5 companies and 100 respondents, so generalization to other periods, regions or sectors should be done carefully. The author recommends further research on control mechanisms, on larger samples, and in non-crisis periods.

Name of the Researcher: Nikola Spicek (Germany)

Supervisor: Mirosław J. Skibniewski (USA)

Abstract: This dissertation investigates the transformative potential of 3D printing in construction within the framework of Industry 5.0, emphasizing a human-centric, sustainable, and resilient approach to technological adoption. While 3D printing offers measurable improvements in productivity, cost efficiency, and waste reduction, its broader implementation remains constrained by regulatory ambiguity, insufficient standardization, and the conservative nature of the construction sector, often resistant to innovation.
The study systematically examines key implementation barriers, with particular attention to institutional constraints, permitting processes, and the evolving distribution of stakeholder roles and responsibilities. It identifies nine critical success factors influencing project performance: relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, absorptive capacity, external pressure, uncertainty, and both supply-side and demand-side benefits. These factors are empirically validated through 11 case studies conducted across 4 stages of empirical research.
The findings demonstrate that 3D printing contributes not only to operational efficiency but also to the advancement of Construction 5.0 by reinforcing human-centric values, including enhanced safety, reduced physical strain, and the redefinition of professional competencies. The role of the project manager emerges as pivotal, requiring the integration of interdisciplinary expertise, ethical awareness, and adaptive leadership to mediate between technological innovation and human needs.

Scientific impact: This research establishes a structured and comprehensive framework for evaluating 3D printing in construction by integrating technical, organizational, and socio-economic dimensions and empirically validating critical success factors. It extends the Construction 5.0 paradigm through a strong emphasis on human-centricity, while contributing novel insights into regulatory, ethical, and stakeholder-related challenges.

Practical impact: From a practical perspective, the study supports informed and responsible decision-making by identifying key risks, enablers, and constraints relevant to industry stakeholders. It advances standardized, human-oriented project management practices, facilitating effective adoption of 3D printing in construction aligned with Industry 5.0 objectives and workforce well-being.

Contact: nspicek11@hotmail.com