Title: Managing stakeholder engagement in Australian not-for-profit projects: implications of the COVID-19 pandemic

Authors: Stephanie Lim; Samer Skaik

Addresses: Central Queensland University, 120 Spencer Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia ' Central Queensland University, 120 Spencer Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia

Abstract: This study aims to identify and prioritise the critical success factors (CSFs) that enable stakeholder engagement in Australian not-for-profit (NFP) projects and investigate the extent to which COVID-19 has impacted these CSFs. A comprehensive literature review of relevant journal articles identified eight factors crucial for stakeholder engagement in NFP projects. To obtain empirical data, a questionnaire survey was administered to NFP project practitioners across Australia. The results of the study indicate a shared perception among different activity groups regarding the significance of the identified CSFs. The study also reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted stakeholder engagement in NFP projects. The implications of these findings suggest that NFP projects in Australia should prioritise effective communication, stakeholder identification and understanding, and clear project objectives to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic and enable successful stakeholder engagement.

Keywords: Australia; COVID-19; critical success factors; CSFs; not-for-profit; NFP; stakeholder engagement.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPOM.2024.143164

International Journal of Project Organisation and Management, 2024 Vol.16 No.4, pp.466 - 490

Received: 29 Apr 2023
Accepted: 05 Aug 2023
Published online: 05 Dec 2024 *

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