Managerial identity work in action: performative narratives and anecdotal stories of innovation

Innovation is invariably accepted as a central component of construction sector competitiveness. Yet, there remains a paucity of empirical research, which explores the gap between the way innovation is promoted in the policy discourse and how it is interpreted in practice. We follow the “narrative turn” in organization studies to explore the ways in which senior executives in the UK construction sector ascribe themselves with informal roles while advocating the cause of innovation. Empirical data is derived from narrative interviews with 32 senior executives who self-identify as “innovation champions”. When talking about innovation, the respondents were found to oscillate between performative narratives of innovation and more personalized stories derived from their own experience. The narratives were invariably pre-rehearsed often to the point of being monotonous. In contrast, the personalized stories tended to be engaging and emotionally laden. The tendency for senior executives to oscillate between narratives and stories is seen as an important means through which they search for meaning while at the same time legitimizing their self-identities as “innovation champions”. Of particular note is the way in which senior managers self-ascribe themselves with informal roles which are notably at odds with those described in more formalized narratives.     

Creating value from diverse knowledge in megaproject innovation ecosystems

Although considerable emphasis has been placed on innovation in megaprojects research, it remains unclear how to obtain valuable outputs in megaproject innovation ecosystems. In view of the key role of knowledge in innovation activities, this study aims to explore the latent mechanism underlying the relationship between knowledge input and output quality, and how this relationship is impacted by ecosystem peers. We argue that there is an inverted U-shaped relationship between the size of knowledge base and the likelihood of high-quality output as a result of both the creation-potential effect and the integration-difficulty effect caused by the increase in knowledge base size. An empirical analysis of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge project confirms it and shows that the inverted U-shaped curve will be flattened as the relative search breadth of ecosystem peers increases. Our findings deepen the theoretical understanding of innovation activities in megaprojects, and provide new insights into co-creation in megaprojects innovation ecosystems.     

A hierarchical structural model of assessing innovation and project performance

Research in construction innovation highlights construction industry as having many barriers and resistance to innovations and suggests that it needs champions. A hierarchical structural model is presented, to assess the impact of the role of the project manager (PM) on the levels of innovation and project performance. The model adopts the structural equation modelling technique and uses the survey data collected from PMs and project team members working for general contractors in Singapore. The model fits well to the observed data, accounting for 24%, 37% and 49% of the variance in championing behaviour, the level of innovation and project performance, respectively. The results of this study show the importance of the championing role of PMs in construction innovation. However, in order to increase their effectiveness, such a role should be complemented by their competency and professionalism, tactical use of influence tactics, and decision authority. Moreover, senior management should provide adequate resources and a sustained support to innovation and create a conducive environment or organizational culture that nurtures and facilitates the PM's role in the construction project as a champion of innovation.     

Trust in megaprojects: A comprehensive literature review of research trends

Megaprojects are large and complex projects involving substantial investment, social importance, and long time span. Owing to the multitude of actors involved in such projects, trust plays a critical role in their delivery. This study presents a comprehensive literature review to gather a wealth of information on a variety of research topics on trust in megaprojects. Related publications were analyzed, and 52 relevant papers were selected for content analysis. The final results show that research on trust in megaprojects is still relatively new, thematically diffused, and generally lacking strong theoretical foundations. A further analysis revealed six main research topics involving trust in megaprojects: (i) trust and the success of megaprojects; (ii) institutional/public trust; (iii) trust and megaproject delivery methods; (iv) trust and contracting; (v) trust as a governance mechanism; and (vi) trust as a competence of project managers. The outcomes of this study contribute to the body of knowledge on trust through a comprehensive investigation of the literature in project management and provide guidelines for further research on the phenomenon of trust in megaprojects, as well as project management delivery process in general.     

A process–oriented framework to measure development performance and success of megaprojects

The critical role of the front–end development phase for the success of megaprojects is widely acknowledged despite a lack of theorizing and empirical evidence on what constitutes development performance and success and how to measure them. Rational–instrumental conceptualizations focus on identifying a large number of universal success factors that help avoid the pitfalls of megaproject development. However, these approaches neglect the adversarial and contingent nature of megaprojects and the complex dynamic interactions between their multiple facets. As a remedy, to define and measure the performance and success of megaproject development phase, we build a process–oriented framework which focuses on convergence in terms of project representations and stakeholders’ volition. Then, we propose clear definitions of megaproject development performance and success, by attempting to address the ambiguous distinction between the definitions of overall project success and performance, and by suggesting ways in which our results could help set on a more rigorous ground the research on the relation between development phase performance and overall project success.     

What does it take to kill a megaproject? The reverse escalation of commitment

Polarized political debates can lead to infrastructure megaprojects in advanced stages of construction being left unfinished. Although this scenario is uncommon, there are relevant examples that negatively impact the economy and society. Despite their relevance, unfinished megaprojects are scarcely discussed in project studies. However, political events such as a referendum or government transitions jeopardize the continuation of the megaproject, leading to its termination. This paper focuses on unfinished infrastructure megaprojects and employs the escalation of commitment as a theoretical perspective. It addresses the following research question: How political polarization fosters escalation of commitment leading to unfinished infrastructure megaprojects? The paper employs a longitudinal case study, the USD 13 billion Mexico City New International Airport, recently terminated during the construction phase due to a political decision. The paper describes the interplay between the development of infrastructure megaprojects and political polarization. It shows how political narratives can portray a misleading escalation of commitment to justify project termination, even when it is not rational.     

Why Knowledge Megaprojects Will Fail to Transform Gulf Countries in Post-Carbon Economies: The Case of Qatar

ABSTRACT

In the last two decades, resource cities of the Arab Gulf Region have been known to urban scholars and the general public for their extravagant, large-scale urban developments. These so-called megaprojects have allowed Gulf governments to both brand their nations globally and compete regionally and internationally with other global economic centers. However, as oil-rich Gulf countries have attempted to diversify their revenue stream away from fossil fuels, a new urban typology has emerged in their capitals to facilitate the transition to the knowledge-intensive economy. In continuity with previous research on megaprojects in the Gulf and Asian countries, we have called this new typology Knowledge Megaprojects (KMs). In this paper, by using as a reference point for comparisons the existing literature on knowledge developments in the West, we set to exemplify KMs in the Gulf region by analyzing the case of Education City—a large knowledge campus being developed by the Qatari government in Doha. One main result of this study is that KMs replicate the same shortcomings of other more mundane, extravagant megaprojects and thus are unlikely to provide the right urban setting to foster a sustainable transition to the post-carbon economy in the Gulf.     

How institutional intermediaries handle institutional complexity in vanguard megaproject settings

Infrastructure megaprojects are temporal, complex undertakings that require close coordination between a variety of stakeholders to keep these projects on track. Very often, coordination bottlenecks emerge, particularly on vanguard projects, as parties are unable to agree on how processes and operations should proceed leading to slippages in duration and budget. In this paper we conceptualize these impasses as arising due to contradictions in institutionalized logics relating to work practices used by various organizations on such projects. Using empirical data from two metro rail megaprojects in India, we show that contradictory logics in carrying out work can lead to 'horizontal' or process-based institutional voids, and 'vertical' or role/hierarchy based institutional voids that must be successfully navigated to ensure project progress. We show how freelance expatriates working as consultants on these projects often functioned as institutional entrepreneurs in such settings, using three specific strategies - re-architecting transaction spaces, reinforcing hierarchy, and mediation, to create more and less stable routines that bridged these voids and created a framework for executing work on the project. This paper contributes to our understanding of the dynamics of institutional entrepreneurship and institutional complexity in vanguard infrastructure megaprojects and offers a preliminary process model of how coordination bottlenecks are resolved in such projects.     

The institutional shaping of global megaprojects: The case of the Lyon-Turin high-speed railway

We respond to the call for more research on the institutional forces that shape global megaprojects. We therefore address megaprojects as elaborate, temporally bracketed social systems made up of key actor groups pursuing interwoven individual and joint goals that may not always be aligned. This work illustrates the process by which goal-oriented actors, in this case international organizations, national governments, firms, and civil society, work through formal administrative structures and legal systems to create and transform their institutional contexts. Building from the findings of an extended case study of the Lyon-Turin high-speed railway megaproject, we firstly detail the overarching institutional environment that megaproject professionals build to realize success. Secondly, we categorize the variety of institutional practices that actors can use to shape global megaprojects. Thirdly, we describe the institutional shaping skills available to project managers for such cases. These findings broaden the scope of traditional project management approaches to megaprojects and provide rich detail in relation to the understanding and successful governance of megaprojects.     

Labyrinth of labels: Narrative constructions of promoters and protesters in megaprojects

Labels as part of narratives are instrumental in the process of organising, particularly in megaprojects that seek to garner legitimacy and support of external stakeholders. While organisation scholars acknowledge that the process of labelling is contested, research on how different organisations navigate these labels remain limited. Within megaproject settings, labels such as largest, sustainable, efficient, etc., are frequently exercised and there is currently a dearth in megaproject management literature on how these labels come into becoming, are contested, and are maintained. Using the case study of the shaping phase of the High Speed Two Limited (HS2) megaproject in the UK, this research explores the multiple labels given to the megaproject, people, and practice by the promoters and protesters, and the ways labels play a role in shaping organisational identity. The processes that maintain and contest the labels such as using the same label, using other labels, explaining the label, and using labels in the title of the organisation are discussed. Thus, labels exist in megaproject arenas as a labyrinth with multiple labels for megaproject, people, and practices, from different agencies, which are then contested and maintained through more labels. This research therefore theorizes label creation, maintenance, and contestation in megaproject settings.     

Governing behavioral integration of top management team in megaprojects: A social capital perspective

Behavioral integration (BI), or the extent to which top management team (TMT) members engage in collective interactions, is a critical element for achieving business success in corporate management that has rarely been examined in megaproject studies. The organizational complexities of megaprojects contribute to biases in TMT's behavior. This study presents a team-level analysis of the drivers of BI in megaprojects through the theoretical lens of social capital. Based on a survey conducted with 128 senior managers from 48 megaprojects, the results showed that (1) both the structural and cognitive dimensions of social capital have a significantly positive effect on BI, with the structural dimension being more influential; (2) the relational dimension of social capital showed a partial effect on BI; (3) affective commitment plays a mediating role that bridges social capital and the TMT's BI. These findings shed new light on cultivating interactions among TMT members in governing megaprojects.     

Types and functions of special purpose vehicles in infrastructure megaprojects

Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) are legal instruments, widely employed in infrastructure megaprojects. SPVs support specific transactions, including public-private partnerships and project finance. Despite the widespread use of SPVs, there is limited research concerning their importance and role for project governance. Furthermore, project studies don't distinguish between the different types of SPVs. This paper employs a grounded theory approach to understand the four types of SPVs and their functions for transactions in infrastructure megaprojects. This paper shows that specific types of SPVs, called project companies and industrial vehicles, are relevant for the formal governance of infrastructure megaproject. The paper describes the hybrid nature of SPVs, being between corporations and contracts, and discusses the implications for the transaction cost theory. A better understanding of the types and functions of SPVs will facilitate and enhance the design and negotiation of the formal governance of infrastructure megaprojects.     

Power plants as megaprojects: Using empirics to shape policy,planning, and construction management

Megaprojects are historically associated with poor delivery, both in terms of schedule and cost performance. Empirical research is required to determine which characteristics of megaprojects affect schedule and cost performance. Capital-intensive power plants can be understood as megaprojects and time delays and cost escalation during the construction phase can undermine their overall economic viability. This paper presents a systematic, empirically based methodology that employs the Fisher Exact test to identify the characteristics of power plant megaprojects (PPMs) that correlate with schedule and cost performance. We present the results of applying this methodology to a dataset of 12 PPMs using nuclear, coal, and renewable resources as case studies. The results highlight the importance of modular technologies, project governance, and external stakeholder involvement. Key findings both support and contradict the literature. The paper provides two major original contributions. First, we present and apply a systematic, empirical and statistical approach to understanding PPMs planning and construction. Second, we show how this approach can be used to inform public policy and project management with regard to PPMs.     

重大工程项目顶层治理对项目管理绩效的影响研究——考虑项目法人行为倾向

重大工程项目顶层治理对其目标实现具有深刻影响。考虑项目法人“代理”与“管家”两种行为倾向,融合代理—管家理论对重大工程项目顶层治理理论进行了解析。将项目属性和实施阶段的动态组合状态具化为组合情境,构建了组合情境下重大工程项目顶层治理机制影响项目管理绩效的理论模型,进而开展实证研究。基于此,提出了组合情境下重大工程项目顶层治理的策略建议。以期提升具体情境下政府重大工程项目顶层治理能力,防止项目法人行为异化,改善并提升重大工程项目管理绩效。     

What about the people? Micro-foundations of open innovation in megaprojects

Megaprojects require substantial R&D activities involving many different organisations. Megaprojects are therefore an ideal setting for Open Innovation (OI), which favours risk-sharing, enables trustful collaboration, and facilitates the development of breakthrough innovations. OI has been widely studied at the organisational level, however far less attention has been paid at the individual level, including the motivations, costs and benefits perceived by the people involved in the innovation process. This paper aims to address this gap by studying the micro-foundations of OI in megaprojects and focusing on the experiences of people involved in university-industry co-supervised Ph.D. projects. The paper provides two original contributions. Firstly, it contributes to the micro-foundations literature, by analysing the experience of university and industrial supervisors and Ph.D. students involved in megaprojects. Secondly, it expands the OI literature by describing how the interpersonal interactions and the intentional knowledge spillovers promote innovation outside the original boundaries of the Ph.D. project.     

重大工程项目治理机制的动态仿真研究

结合中国重大工程项目复杂情境,深度剖析重大工程项目治理机制包括合同、关系和行政治理等因素之间的关系,构建并验证复杂情境下重大工程治理机制的动态仿真模型。 进行预测和诊断分析,得到重大工程项目治理的影响机制,并提出提升项目治理能力的策略建议。结果表明: 在重大工程项目治理过程中应尤其注重权责利明确性、信息的充足性、项目各方寻求解决方法和协调征地拆迁和移民安置等方面的管控。 通过实证分析,进一步证明所建立模型的可行性, 可以为重大工程项目各参与方改善治理能力提供参考依据。     

Risk,uncertainty and governance in megaprojects: A critical discussion of alternative explanations

This article critically discusses different explanations for the performance problems exhibited by many megaprojects, and examines the proposed governance solutions. It proposes a three-fold typology of explanations and solutions by examining authors’ epistemological assumptions about decision-maker cognition and about decision-maker views on the nature of the future. It argues that despite important differences in their epistemological orientation, these explanations share an acceptance of the notion of actor farsightedness. It concludes that this encourages them to focus on governance in megaprojects, made forms of organization designed ex ante, and to ignore governing in megaprojects, spontaneous micro-processes of organizing emerging ex post. Identification of this gap adds support to calls by projects-as-practice researchers for a broadening of research to encompass the actuality of projects. A new line of enquiry within this broad projects-as-practice agenda is suggested.     

Non-economic motivations for organizational citizenship behavior in construction megaprojects

This study examined the primary non-economic motivations behind participating entities' organizational citizenship behavior in construction megaprojects, referred to as their megaproject citizenship behavior (MCB), in terms of altruism and observed practice. A questionnaire-based survey designed to test the effect of non-economic drivers on MCB revealed that the pursuit of social value and self-serving motivation, including firm development and political appeal, function as significant non-economic drivers of MCB. And the self-serving motivation to perform MCB is generally less significant than the pursuit of social value, and the relationship between self-serving motivation and MCB is partially moderated by the governmental connections of the megaprojects. In government-hosted construction megaprojects, when the governmental connections of the individual participating entity are as strong as those of the megaproject itself, MCB engagement is actually driven by the pursuit of firm development and political appeal even where the apparent driver is the pursuit of social value.