Paradigms in project management research: examples from 15 years of IRNOP conferences
International Journal of Managing Projects in Business
ISSN: 1753-8378
Article publication date: 25 January 2011
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the philosophical stances and related methodologies used within the last 15 years of project management research using The International Research Network on Organizing by Projects (IRNOP) conference papers.
Design/methodology/approach
Utilizing a systematic sampling approach, IRNOP conference papers from 1994, 2000 and 2007 were analyzed for prevalent philosophical streams in project management research.
Findings
Results show a dominance of ontological subjectivism and epistemological interpretivism, with a preference for case studies and qualitative methods. Trends indicate a growth of positivist studies and, at the same time, an increase in multi‐case studies.
Research limitations/implications
This paper's contribution to knowledge lies in the identification of predominant research paradigms for research reported at project management conferences using IRNOP as an example. The study shows trends, preferences, and potential differences between published research and conference papers.
Originality/value
Information on the quality, quantity and timely trends of underlying philosophies in project management research are lacking an insightful exploration of the project management research field. This is necessary for a better understanding of the past, present and possible future of research paradigms in project management. The paper's findings can be used to improve the interpretation of the state of knowledge in project management research.
Keywords
Citation
Biedenbach, T. and Müller, R. (2011), "Paradigms in project management research: examples from 15 years of IRNOP conferences", International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, Vol. 4 No. 1, pp. 82-104. https://doi.org/10.1108/17538371111096908
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited