The current state of project management knowledge: A misunderstanding

Biesenthal, CE

The current state of project management knowledge: A misunderstanding

Biesenthal, CE

Permalink

Publication Type:: Conference Proceeding
Citation:: 2016
Issue Date:: 2016-09-02

Open Access

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Open Access

This item is open access.

Adobe PDF

Download Accepted Manuscript versionAdobe PDF (194.8 kB)

View statistics

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Biesenthal, CE https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3851-4950	en_US
dc.date	2016-09-06	en_US
dc.date.issued	2016-09-02	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	2016	en_US
dc.identifier.isbn	978-0-9549608-9-6	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/74226
dc.description.abstract	Project management is a field that is very proud of its practical knowledge and knowing-in-action. However, as a field of study it is unsure about the validity of its underlying theoretical knowledge, or even if there is such a thing. Project management has attracted interest from a variety of scholars and researcher, and has therefore produced a diverse body of project management theories. With such variety and diversity comes confusion and ambiguity in terms of which theories are right or wrong, and better or worse. This paper will reflect on the current state of the field and propose a solution to the aforementioned struggle by suggesting that existing theoretical knowledge should be treated as working theories. The concept of working theories essentially describes – similar to working hypothesis –a provisionally accepted truth that serves as a starting point for inquiry with the aim to produce a satisfactory outcome.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	British Academy of Management (Thriving in tuburlent times)	en_US
dc.title	The current state of project management knowledge: A misunderstanding	en_US
dc.type	Conference Proceeding
utslib.location.activity	Newcastle upon Tyne, UK	en_US
utslib.for	1202 Building	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/e-Press
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building/School of Built Environment
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.consider-herdc	false	en_US
pubs.finish-date	2016-09-08	en_US
pubs.start-date	2016-09-06	en_US

Abstract:

Project management is a field that is very proud of its practical knowledge and knowing-in-action. However, as a field of study it is unsure about the validity of its underlying theoretical knowledge, or even if there is such a thing. Project management has attracted interest from a variety of scholars and researcher, and has therefore produced a diverse body of project management theories. With such variety and diversity comes confusion and ambiguity in terms of which theories are right or wrong, and better or worse. This paper will reflect on the current state of the field and propose a solution to the aforementioned struggle by suggesting that existing theoretical knowledge should be treated as working theories. The concept of working theories essentially describes – similar to working hypothesis –a provisionally accepted truth that serves as a starting point for inquiry with the aim to produce a satisfactory outcome.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/74226