The human factor in agility: Exploring employee dedication in agile project organizations

Abstract

As project management shifts towards agility, attention has centered on its performance outcomes. Yet, a critical area remains largely untapped: the human dimension. This study dives into the heart of this matter, focusing on the relationship between an agile project organization and the dedication of individual project team members. Venturing beyond traditional approaches, our agile project organization framework comprises five dimensions: culture, customer integration, work method, autonomy, and cross-functional capabilities. Additionally, we probe deeper to unearth the underlying factors that amplify or attenuate the relationship between agility and dedication. Grounded in a triple-informant sample encompassing 286 team members across 70 physical product development projects, our findings affirm not only agility's relationship with dedication but also three boundary conditions: a methodical implementation approach, a clear ideation strategy, and an entrepreneurial orientation. This exploration offers a richer, more holistic understanding, poised to reshape contemporary discourse on agile project management.