Title: Exploring the adoption of hybrid project management: a case study of a grocery retailer

Authors: David Šimůnek; Miroslav Krupa; Jiří Hájek; Dennis Schlegel

Addresses: Faculty of Business Administration, Prague University of Economics and Business, Czech Republic ' Faculty of Business Administration, Prague University of Economics and Business, Czech Republic ' Faculty of Business Administration, Prague University of Economics and Business, Czech Republic ' School of Informatics, Reutlingen University, Germany

Abstract: This study utilises a qualitative approach to investigate the adoption of hybrid project management (HPM) within a Czech grocery retailer. Through thematic analysis of interviews, organisational documents, and observations, the research identifies HPM adoption as a decentralised and self-emerging process. The findings show that HPM combines traditional and agile methodologies to meet diverse project needs, strongly emphasising adaptability. Key insights reveal that HPM fosters transparent stakeholder engagement and is driven by the unique composition of project teams and specific project challenges. This study underscores the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in HPM implementation, highlighting the dynamic and iterative nature of the process. The research contributes to a deeper understanding of the operational dynamics of HPM, providing significant theoretical insights and practical recommendations for successfully navigating complex project environments.

Keywords: hybrid project management; HPM; project management adoption; project management adaptation; case study; retail; organisational change; agile techniques.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPOM.2026.151968

International Journal of Project Organisation and Management, 2026 Vol.18 No.1, pp.24 - 49

Received: 07 Aug 2024
Accepted: 25 Jun 2025
Published online: 28 Feb 2026 *

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