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Exploring Characteristics of Sustainability Stimulus Patterns of Project Managers

Author

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  • José Magano

    (Research Center in Business and Economics (CICEE), Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, Rua Sta. Marta 47, 5° Andar, 1150-293 Lisboa, Portugal
    ISCET—Higher Institute of Business Sciences and Tourism (ISCET), Rua de Cedofeita, 285, 4050-180 Porto, Portugal)

  • Gilbert Silvius

    (Research Group Project Management, LOI University of Applied Sciences, Leidsedreef 2, 2352 BA Leiderdorp, The Netherlands
    Department of Applied Information Systems, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa)

  • Cláudia Sousa Silva

    (Departamento de Economia, Gestão, Engenharia Industrial e Turismo, GOVCOPP, Campus Universitário de Santiago, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Ângela Leite

    (School of Human and Social Sciences (ECHS), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal)

Abstract

The role of projects in the transition of organisations towards sustainability is addressed in a growing number of studies, and “sustainable” project management is considered one of the most important project management trends today. As sustainability is a normative concept based on subjective values and beliefs, project managers are bound to experience different stimuli and inhibitors for the consideration of sustainability in their projects. Earlier studies identified three distinct stimulus patterns: Intrinsically motivated, Task-driven, and Pragmatic. However, little is known about these three groups of project managers’ personal and professional characteristics and their work environments. Following up on earlier studies, this paper explores the social-demographic and professional-related characteristics that the three stimulus patterns represent in a quantitative, survey-based study on a sample of 433 project managers. Analyses of descriptive statistics (means, frequencies, and Cronbach’s alpha) and inferential statistics (chi-squared, t test, and ANOVA) were used. The findings of the study support the conclusion that sustainability is a personal trait based upon the individual’s attitude towards sustainability. The study also reveals that the stimulus patterns of project managers significantly differ over industries and types of projects. The study intends to help organisations implement sustainability strategies by deepening their understanding of project managers’ stimulus to consider sustainability in their projects. The study contributes to the emerging knowledge on sustainable project management and specifically to the understanding of stimulus patterns of project managers.

Suggested Citation

  • José Magano & Gilbert Silvius & Cláudia Sousa Silva & Ângela Leite, 2021. "Exploring Characteristics of Sustainability Stimulus Patterns of Project Managers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-18, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:7:p:4019-:d:530103
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cláudia Sousa Silva & José Magano & Ana Matos & Teresa Nogueira, 2021. "Sustainable Quality Management Systems in the Current Paradigm: The Role of Leadership," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-21, February.
    2. Cláudia Silva & José Magano & Anna Moskalenko & Teresa Nogueira & Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis & Hélder Fernando Pedrosa e Sousa, 2020. "Sustainable Management Systems Standards (SMSS): Structures, Roles, and Practices in Corporate Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-24, July.
    3. Carl Marnewick & Gilbert Silvius & Ron Schipper, 2019. "Exploring Patterns of Sustainability Stimuli of Project Managers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-17, September.
    4. Gilbert Silvius, 2012. "Change the Game: Sustainability in Projects and Project Management," Springer Books, in: Jan vom Brocke & Stefan Seidel & Jan Recker (ed.), Green Business Process Management, edition 127, pages 161-177, Springer.
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    1. José Magano & Gilbert Silvius & Teresa Nogueira & Farzad Hamed, 2024. "Consideration of Sustainability in Projects: A Cross-Sectional Quantitative Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-18, February.
    2. Ruben van der Sluijs & Gilbert Silvius, 2023. "Exploring the Values of a Sustainable Project Manager," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-22, May.
    3. José Magano & Cláudia Sousa Silva & Micaela Martins, 2021. "Project Management in the Biotech Context: Exploring the Interrelation between Maturity and Sustainable Project Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-17, November.
    4. Raquel Castro Madureira & Cláudia Sousa Silva & Marlene Amorim & Marta Ferreira Dias & Bruno Lins & Gisela Mello, 2022. "Think Twice to Achieve a Sustainable Project Management: From Ecological Sustainability towards the Sustainable Project Management Cube Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-22, March.
    5. Gilbert Silvius & Ronald Ursem & José Magano, 2023. "Exploring the Project Owner’s Behaviour of Addressing Sustainability in Project Assignment and Governance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-24, September.

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