Projecting for sustainability transitions: Contrasting two types of project-oriented agency

IF 7.5 1区管理学 Q1 MANAGEMENT

International Journal of Project Management Pub Date : 2025-07-01 DOI:10.1016/j.ijproman.2025.102721

Ermal Hetemi , Sofia Pemsel , Jonas Söderlund , Anna Jerbrant

{"title":"Projecting for sustainability transitions: Contrasting two types of project-oriented agency","authors":"Ermal Hetemi , Sofia Pemsel , Jonas Söderlund , Anna Jerbrant","doi":"10.1016/j.ijproman.2025.102721","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A core problem in sustainability transitions is to ensure that actors come together and work on a common goal. Earlier research has argued that developing a project-oriented agency is essential to ensure transitions. By examining two contrasting cases, the Sustainable Transportation program and the Sustainable Hospital program, we identify two distinct types of project-oriented agency: (1) emergent and (2) induced. The former showcases an inclusive approach emphasizing open collaboration and resource mobilization, flexible goals, whereas the latter encompasses prescribed resource mobilization<em>,</em> contractual objectives, and deadlines. Beyond bottom-up vs. top-down dichotomies, these project-oriented agency types highlight different shaping contexts and logics of how actors mobilize projects for change. Our analysis identifies the nuanced dimensions of project-oriented agency and the impetuses, practices, and temporal structures through which they shape transition outcomes. The paper enriches the current understanding of how targeted projects and programs can bridge experimental niches with mainstream regime transformation, thereby enabling system-wide sustainability transitions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48429,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Project Management","volume":"43 5","pages":"Article 102721"},"PeriodicalIF":7.5000,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Project Management","FirstCategoryId":"91","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026378632500047X","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"MANAGEMENT","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

A core problem in sustainability transitions is to ensure that actors come together and work on a common goal. Earlier research has argued that developing a project-oriented agency is essential to ensure transitions. By examining two contrasting cases, the Sustainable Transportation program and the Sustainable Hospital program, we identify two distinct types of project-oriented agency: (1) emergent and (2) induced. The former showcases an inclusive approach emphasizing open collaboration and resource mobilization, flexible goals, whereas the latter encompasses prescribed resource mobilization, contractual objectives, and deadlines. Beyond bottom-up vs. top-down dichotomies, these project-oriented agency types highlight different shaping contexts and logics of how actors mobilize projects for change. Our analysis identifies the nuanced dimensions of project-oriented agency and the impetuses, practices, and temporal structures through which they shape transition outcomes. The paper enriches the current understanding of how targeted projects and programs can bridge experimental niches with mainstream regime transformation, thereby enabling system-wide sustainability transitions.

查看原文本刊更多论文

可持续性转型的规划：对比两种类型的项目导向机构

可持续性转型的一个核心问题是确保行为体走到一起，为共同的目标而努力。早期的研究认为，发展一个以项目为导向的机构对于确保过渡至关重要。通过研究可持续交通项目和可持续医院项目这两个对比鲜明的案例，我们确定了两种不同类型的项目导向机构：(1)紧急和(2)诱导。前者展示了一种包容性的方法，强调开放的合作和资源动员，灵活的目标，而后者包括规定的资源动员，合同目标和截止日期。除了自底向上和自顶向下的二分法之外，这些面向项目的代理类型强调了参与者如何动员项目进行变革的不同塑造背景和逻辑。我们的分析确定了项目导向机构的微妙维度，以及它们塑造转型结果的动力、实践和时间结构。本文丰富了目前对有针对性的项目和计划如何将实验利基与主流制度转型联系起来，从而实现全系统可持续性转型的理解。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

International Journal of Project Management MANAGEMENT-

CiteScore

12.30

自引率

26.20%

发文量

审稿时长

59 days

期刊介绍： The International Journal of Project Management is recognized as a premier publication in the field of project management and organization studies. Our main objective is to contribute to the advancement of project management and project organizing through the publication of groundbreaking research. We are dedicated to presenting fresh insights and new knowledge in various domains, including project management, program management, portfolio management, project-oriented organizations, project networks, and project-oriented societies. We actively encourage submissions that explore project management and organizing from the perspectives of organizational behavior, strategy, supply chain management, technology, change management, innovation, and sustainability. By publishing high-quality research articles and reviews, we strive to revolutionize the academic landscape and propel the field of project management forward. We invite researchers, scholars, and practitioners to contribute to our journal and be a part of the progressive development in this exciting field.