19 research outputs found
Enabling sustainable project management in pakistani construction industry : the influence of institutional pressures and moderating role of transformational leadership
No full textSustainable corporate practices are gaining ever-increasing attention in the contemporary business world and integrating sustainability aspects in project management is an emerging trend across the mainstream industries, particularly in construction. This approach is often termed as Sustainable Project Management (SPM) which is considered a new school of thought in the field of project management. However, sustainability research in the project context is fragmented and still at a nascent stage with lesser attention directed towards the key external and internal enablers of SPM particularly in construction industry of developing countries. The aim of this study is thus, to address this research gap by empirically developing and testing a model for the enablers of SPM in construction industry. Based on an extensive literature review, five research questions were proposed for this study to address current gaps in the body of knowledge. Using institutional theory as a basic frame of reference, this study proposed three isomorphic pressures i.e. coercive, normative and mimetic pressures as external enablers for integrating sustainability in project management. This study also included transformational leadership qualities of portfolio managers as moderating variable on the relationship of isomorphic pressures and SPM. An online survey was administrated to gather data from large constructor firms in Pakistan with project managers as key respondents. 146 large constructor firms recorded their responses which were then analyzed using structural equation modelling (SEM) technique in Smart PLS software. The findings showed that the three isomorphic pressures significantly predict the adoption of SPM by construction firms, with mimetic isomorphism being the higher performer. The presence of transformational leadership qualities at portfolio management level strengthens the influence of isomorphism on SPM adoption. Results of the first and second level measurement model assessments affirmed that constructor firms do practice SPM to certain degree but their practices are not standardized. In fact, environmental dimension overrides the whole concept of SPM in terms of practice and social sustainability receive lesser attention. Theoretically, this study provides a model that combines the internal and external enablers of SPM based on institutional theory and transformational leadership theory. The empirical findings of the study validated the robustness of the proposed framework to study the SPM implementation in construction industry. Finally, this study offers practical suggestions for practitioners and policy makers. The inferred implications suggest that constructor firms need to approach isomorphism with a proactive approach, rather being reactive to regulations, and should include sustainability criteria in strategic decision making. This will help them gaining a long-term competitive advantage and will create a win-win situation where constructor firms will be a part of the solution towards achieving the broader goals of overall sustainable development
Sectarianism at workplace in Gilgit
No full textThis paper is part of a broader research that was carried out to explore and determine the scope and nature of sectarianism as perceived and experienced by employees in their workplaces in Gilgit-Baltistan. This region has experienced intense sectarian strife over last two decades, claiming hundreds of lives in the process. The region’s capital city Gilgit in particular has seen violent clashes between the two major sects of Islam – Sunni and Shi’a .Using the framework of organizational theory with a specific focus on the concept of informal organizations, this research attempts to provide empirical evidence of the existence and manifestation of sectarianism at the workplace in Gilgit city. Main themes that emerged from the qualitative interviews conducted with employees working in public sector organizations included; prevalence of sectarianism, nature of sectarianism, and the balance formula. Preliminary findings suggested that sectarianism did exist in the selected organizations operating in Gilgit. The sectarianism in public institutions have posed challenges in terms of the governance and administration of the province. This issue has also found traction in the debate surrounding constitutional rights as the two major sects – Sunni and Shi’a – foresee the governance models of Gilgit-Baltistan through a sectarian-tinted lens
Sustainability Through Green Procurement: Interplay Between Leadership and Institutional Pressures
No full textGreen Procurement is an emerging theme in the construction industry across the globe. However, construction firms often find it difficult to integrate sustainability performance indicators in construction projects especially in procurement. Literature shows that the construction industry has frequently encountered the disapproval of the regulatory authorities for neglecting or evading environmental regulations and it is particularly criticized for ignoring sustainability concerns in the procurement process. Therefore, in response to mounting institutional pressures, green procurement is emerging as a key strategic option for improving overall sustainability in construction industry. However, there is still much to be done as the research studies on green procurement identified that this strategy is not showing constant outcomes across the organizations owing to the organizational factors which impede or support in translating the green procurement strategy into practice at the organizational level. Therefore, through extensive review of the relevant literature, this study employs the theoretical lens of institutional theory in conjunction with transformational leadership to explore their role in enabling green procurement in construction firms. A hypothetical framework is thus proposed to analyse the role of transformational leadership in channelizing the institutional pressures for a pragmatic implementation of green procurement while effectively managing the inevitable change process at organizational level
Role of project governance in managing projects sustainability: A theoretical perspective
No full textSustainability is incessantly posing challenges when it is studied juxtaposition with project management. To ensure sustainability companies undertaking projects ought to set strategic and operational plans that will add to the project sustainability. Research shows that existing project management structures do not effectively consider sustainability issues and therefore need revisions at strategic and operational levels. Similarly, while the theme of project governance is finding traction in the literature, the discussion that connects project governance and sustainability in projects is elusive. This research work is specifically focusing on developing a linkage between project governance and managing sustainability in projects. There is an acute scarcity of literature encircling linkage between project governance and sustainable project management, thus, based on the extensive review of the literature, this study is one of the pioneering studies to highlight the relationship between the themes of project governance and sustainable project management
Review of Public Sector Project Planning in Pakistan
No full textThis paper aims to review the planning process of public
sector projects undertaken in Pakistan. This study explores the
appraisal procedures adopted by the Planning Commission of
Pakistan. Public sector projects play a vital role in the overall socio
economic growth of developing countries. For the successful execution
of projects, a comprehensive mechanism of stakeholder management
and project governance are essential. An appraisal of the relevant
studies is conducted to figure out the various relevant themes which
have not widely been discussed in Pakistan specific studies. This study
identifies inadequacies in the planning process and emphasizes the
need for project governance and stakeholder management to achieve
the desired outcomes
Examining the Determinants of Credit Risk Management and Their Relationship with the Performance of Commercial Banks in Nepal
No full textIn recent years, after the global financial crisis, the issue of credit risk management has received increased attention from international regulators. Credit risk management frameworks are often not sufficiently integrated within the organization, there is no unified approach, and there is no holistic view of all risks. Likewise, where they exist, sound risk management practices have helped institutions to weather financial crises better than others. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine the determinants of credit risk management and their relationship with the performance of commercial banks in Nepal. It also examines the mediating role of credit risk management on the performance of commercial banks in Nepal. The results indicate that there is a positive relationship between environmental risk and credit risk management. It is also found that credit appraisal measurements have a significant effect on credit risk management. The results reveal that market risk analysis has a significant effect on credit risk management. The results show that credit risk management mediates the relationship between environmental risk, credit appraisal measurements, market risk analysis, and the performance of commercial banks. Therefore, managers should strive to impart risk prevention and control mechanisms to reduce credit risk and achieve good financial performance
A construct validation approach for exploring sustainability adoption in Pakistani construction projects
No full textSustainable Project Management (SPM) is a novel theme in construction industries of developing countries and very little is known (so far) about the sustainability performance of construction projects in those settings. Accordingly, the quantitative measurement of SPM as a higher-order construct is not well established and lacks a holistic approach and homogenous taxonomy of indicators. This study explores the SPM practices of construction firms by validating SPM as a second-order construct in the Pakistani construction industry. Data were obtained from 146 construction firms, which were then analyzed using partial least square structure equation modeling. Results of the first and second level measurement model assessments showed that construction firms practice SPM, with varying degrees of attention paid to three sustainability aspects. Environmental dimension surfaced as the most important, in-terms of practice and social sustainability as least. The analysis of the second-order measurement model yielded significant results, thus, validating the higher-order structure of SPM. This study contributes to the field by presenting one of the first studies of its kind by focusing on the sustainability practices of construction firms by using a higher-order design of SPM construct within the context of developing countrie
Analyzing Factors Attributing To Effectiveness of Performance Management System of a Manufacturing Industry
No full textPerformance Management System (PMS) is considered as one of the vital aspects of Human Resource Management. PMS is the focus of study in this paper. The effectiveness of Performance Management System of a manufacturing company in Malaysia has been studied. And for this study, factor analysis is conducted. Different factors attributing to effectiveness of Performance Management System have been extracted and the study highlighted that Reward and Development, Continuous Communication and Departmental Development, Standard and Goal Setting, Developing HR Systems, Policy and Tool for Performance Management, Performance Measurement, Performance Linkage to Payment Decisions, Fairness for Employee Appraisal, Implementation and Employee Control, and Performance Review and Employee Recognition are the factors responsible for PMS Effectiveness. It has been suggested for taking developmental measures to enhance the existing Performance Management System contributing more for the benefits of organization and also for the betterment of the employees of the organization. Firstly, the importance of Performance Management System and the factors attributing to its effectiveness have been discussed in the introduction section. Secondly, relevant literature is being reviewed. It is followed by discussion about the methodology adopted in this study. Fourthly, results pertaining to this study and their analysis have been discussed in detail. Finally, concluding comments have been mentioned
The Mediating Role of Benefit Management for Sustaining the Performance of Infrastructure Projects
No full textBenefit management is a valuable approach, promoted and supported by strategic
management for maximizing organizational benefits. It has also been recognized as a
means of improving project performance, though more research is needed to understand
how it works. This research adds to the contemporary literature on public sector project
management by studying the links between project governance, benefit management, and
project performance from a developing country perspective. This study provides insights
for project professionals who are working in government organizations for optimizing
the benefits of investment. The study provides a reference to formulate strategies for
managing and governing the performance of government-funded projects in developing
countries like Pakistan. The research uses a positivist approach and quantitative design
Stakeholder Management in Public Sector Infrastructure Projects
No full textThe underlying risks and complexities in government infrastructure projects have increased the importance of
external stakeholder management in contemporary project management. In developing countries, it is also important for
policymaking and planning of infrastructure programs due to the varying nature of stakeholders and their expectations from
the government. Few studies have looked at how external stakeholders are involved in public infrastructure projects and
how they work together to achieve common project goals by overcoming communication and decision-making barriers.
The internal stakeholders and project managers also need to properly liaise with the external stakeholders without
compromising the project goals. Thus, there is a need to strategize the stakeholder management process to improve public
sector infrastructure projects, especially from a developing nation's perspective. Therefore, the scope of this research has
evaluated the prevalence of external stakeholder management in public sector infrastructure construction projects in
Pakistan by developing and validating its five core dimensions. Among the constructs were identification and classification,
communication, engagement, empowerment, and risk control. Besides this, twenty-seven sub-variables of stakeholder
management have also been identified in the context of public sector projects. The results of the factor loading show that
"Risk Control" is the most contributing dimension of stakeholder management, and "Empowerment" is the least concern
in the current practices. The study emphasizes the importance of establishing a systematic and comprehensive framework
for empowering external stakeholders, which will strengthen and improve performance and project outcomes. This study
reveals insights that will assist project organizations in integrating external stakeholders into their government-sponsored
projects with their effective empowerment and sufficient engagement
