Title: Strategies for enhancing strategic project management in public research projects: case Nigeria

Authors: Charity Udodirim Ugonna; Edward G. Ochieng; Wilfred M. Matipa; Raj Shah

Addresses: Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, No. 17 Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, Nigeria ' Cranfield School of Management, Innovation and Process Management, Cranfield University, Bedford, MK43 0AL, UK ' Faculty of Technology and Environment, Liverpool John Moores University, Bryom Street Campus, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK ' Faculty of Technology and Environment, Liverpool John Moores University, Bryom Street Campus, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK

Abstract: The study examined barriers and key criteria for enhancing strategic project management application in the execution of research and development (R and D) projects in Nigerian public research organisations. Given the economic and social challenge in R and D projects, a multi-methodology consisting of quantitative and qualitative analysis was employed. A total of 213 questionnaires were used and 20 senior practitioners interviewed. The findings revealed that organisational culture such as employee's behaviour, civil service procedures, operational routines and lack of knowledge in strategic project management (SPM), organisations routines were the significant barriers to the application of SPM. Strategies for addressing the barriers and enhancing SPM application were identified to include: proper definition of projects, use of project team approach, stakeholder's involvement enhanced, using the problem-driven-approach to select projects and employees' motivation.

Keywords: strategic project management; SPM; project management; organisational culture; research and development projects; public research organisation; Nigeria.

DOI: 10.1504/WRSTSD.2017.089549

World Review of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 2017 Vol.13 No.4, pp.352 - 366

Accepted: 29 Jul 2017
Published online: 30 Jan 2018 *

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