Title: Relationship of organisational flexibility and project portfolio performance: assessing the mediating role of innovation

Authors: Muhammad Aamir Saeed; Yuanyuan Jiao; Muhammad Mohsin Zahid; Humaira Tabassum

Addresses: Department of Business Administration, Business School, Nankai University, China ' Department of Business Administration, Business School, Nankai University, China ' Department of the Management Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Wah Cantt, Pakistan ' Higher Education Institute, Zhou Enlai School of Government, Nankai University, China

Abstract: Hyper-competition in the business environment has forced the companies to frequently innovate and manage projects as portfolios. This article presents a conceptual framework that highlights the role of innovation between organisational flexibility and project portfolio performance. Dimensions of organisational flexibility are outlined in the framework with the assumption that each dimension of flexibility interacts with the other variables. Links between the dimensions of flexibility and the performance of project portfolio are proposed, considering innovation as a mediator. Moreover, the moderating role of environmental dynamism, absorptive capability and project portfolio management quality is discussed. The study lays the groundwork for further empirical research.

Keywords: organisational flexibility; strategic flexibility; structural flexibility; operational flexibility; innovation; environmental dynamism; absorptive capability; project portfolio performance; project portfolio management quality.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPOM.2017.088242

International Journal of Project Organisation and Management, 2017 Vol.9 No.4, pp.277 - 302

Received: 01 Mar 2017
Accepted: 11 Jul 2017

Published online: 30 Nov 2017 *

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