{"title":"Barriers to Deploying Agile Methods in Established Product Development Organizations","authors":"Charlotta Linse;Joakim Lilliesköld","doi":"10.1109/EMR.2025.3588930","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/EMR.2025.3588930","url":null,"abstract":"This research presents four barriers to deploying agile methods in established R&D organizations that develop complex, mechatronic products. While prior research has identified success factors and common challenges when implementing agile methods, their adaptation in established multidisciplinary product development work, where coordination across diverse engineering domains is crucial, remains underexplored. Drawing on a qualitative case study based on two years of interviews and discussion meetings, we have studied barriers that emerge when deploying agile methods in an organization where legacy practices and organizational logics conflict with the new methods. Our findings highlight 12 challenges that are categorized into four key barriers: complex dependencies and coordination, existing structures, new application and setting, and ambiguous values and benefits. The study thus offers insights into the barriers of changing workways in established R&D organizations and makes a threefold contribution: first, identifying four barriers to agile adoption, second, suggesting future research questions, and third, providing practical advice for managers planning to deploy agile methods or other technological or methodological transformations that challenge the status quo. Managers should not assume immediate benefits, but instead be prepared to adapt the agile methods to their specific context. They should listen to those perceived as change averse and consider educating “boundary spanners,” that is, individuals who bridge engineering knowledge with method know–how. These roles help evaluate dependencies for coordination, identify rigid structures, and articulate potential benefits to bridge the gap between the old and the new.","PeriodicalId":35585,"journal":{"name":"IEEE Engineering Management Review","volume":"54 1","pages":"52-71"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=11079956","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148512384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Eye of The Beholder: Asymmetric Perceptions of AI Misuse in Self Versus Others","authors":"Yiru Wang;Qingyun Zhu;Barry A. Friedman;Jinpei Wu","doi":"10.1109/EMR.2025.3597984","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/EMR.2025.3597984","url":null,"abstract":"As artificial intelligence (AI) applications proliferate across professions, understanding factors that influence individuals' perceived likelihood to misuse AI is critical. This research delved into the intricate dynamics of individual AI experiences and their planned behavioral attributes, including behavioral attitudes, social expectations, and behavioral intentions. Using attribution theory and the theory of planned behavior, we investigated how these factors synergistically interacted to shape AI misuse perceptions. Our findings indicated that individuals with high AI familiarity believe that AI misuse was more pronounced for individuals outside their own business profession compared to those within it. However, this perception varied significantly across disciplines. In addition, this asymmetric cross-functional perceived susceptibility for AI misuse was moderated by various cognitive and motivational attributions. This study contributed to the burgeoning field of AI ethics by offering a comprehensive analysis of the human–AI interface, paving the way for future research, informed interventions, and policies that foster responsible AI use.","PeriodicalId":35585,"journal":{"name":"IEEE Engineering Management Review","volume":"54 1","pages":"72-90"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148506611","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Moving Beyond the Explanatory Theorizing of Project Behavior for Infrastructure Misperformance: Nothing Is so Practical as a Good Theory","authors":"Peter E. D. Love","doi":"10.1109/EMR.2025.3589205","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/EMR.2025.3589205","url":null,"abstract":"Misperformance—manifested in cost overruns, delays, and the failure to deliver expected benefits—continues to afflict infrastructure projects worldwide. Despite a significant body of research that has examined the problem of misperformance, governments have made limited headway in addressing this problem. Conceptualizations, such as the Planning Fallacy and the Fifth Hand, have emerged from theorizing efforts to explain how projects function and, more specifically, why they misperform. While these conceptual theories offer plausible insights, they fall short of establishing a comprehensive explanatory theory of project behavior. This article critically examines the Planning Fallacy and Fifth Hand, highlighting the distinct theorizing styles that underpin them. It then outlines future directions for empirical research and discusses implications for practice, aiming to advance the understanding of misperformance and contribute to the development of a robust theory of project behavior.","PeriodicalId":35585,"journal":{"name":"IEEE Engineering Management Review","volume":"54 1","pages":"225-232"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148507548","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Joel W. Manuel;Faatiema Salie;Sara S. Grobbelaar;Louis Louw
{"title":"A Framework for Evaluating the Total Cost of Ownership of Supply Chain Technology: The Case of a Passive Cold-Chain Vaccine Carrier Technology","authors":"Joel W. Manuel;Faatiema Salie;Sara S. Grobbelaar;Louis Louw","doi":"10.1109/EMR.2025.3572401","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/EMR.2025.3572401","url":null,"abstract":"The increasing use of vaccines necessitates identifying new target groups and expanding immunization activities, often in areas with inadequate infrastructure and cold-chain networks. Healthcare providers and medical distributors face challenges in adopting vaccine technology due to an insufficient understanding of lifecycle costs. To address these concerns, total cost of ownership (TCO) assists in understanding the feasibility of vaccine technology adoption throughout its lifecycle. This research develops a conceptual framework and toolkit for evaluating the TCO of vaccine carrier technologies. Using design science research methodology, the study identifies the problem, establishes objectives, and conducts a comprehensive literature review to shape the preliminary TCO framework. Semistructured interviews with industry experts validate and enhance this framework, ensuring alignment with real-world applications. A toolkit for evaluating TCO through case study analysis is also outlined. The integration of design science research results in an enhanced framework for the iterative evaluation of TCO for vaccine carrier technology, facilitating cost-effective assessments and evidence-based decision making in healthcare settings. This versatile tool bridges engineering and business perspectives, valuable in resource-constrained environments. This research contributes valuable insights into the adoption of vaccine technology, offering a comprehensive approach for decision makers in healthcare.","PeriodicalId":35585,"journal":{"name":"IEEE Engineering Management Review","volume":"54 1","pages":"159-179"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148508097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Do Engineers Need to Become More Persuasive? About the Why and How of Vocal-Charisma Training","authors":"Oliver Niebuhr","doi":"10.1109/EMR.2025.3579479","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/EMR.2025.3579479","url":null,"abstract":"This article discusses the importance of charismatic communication for engineers and outlines effective strategies for training vocal charisma, particularly in high-stakes contexts, such as investor pitches or idea pitches to supervisors. Drawing from interdisciplinary research, the paper argues that engineers often underestimate the communicative components of persuasion, which hampers the acceptance of their innovations. Particularly acoustic voice features—such as intonation, tempo, and loudness variation—tend to be overlooked, although a growing body of research consistently shows that such features play a crucial role in selling ideas or products successfully. Furthermore, this article corrects the still widespread but outdated notion of charismatic communication as an innate trait and replaces it with the concept of an improvable dynamic signaling system, in accord with the emerging scientific consensus. Building on these knowledge and concept overviews, this article proposes a five-step approach to effective and sustainable vocal-charisma training. This includes analytic listening, targeted feedback, regular motor-based practice, expert coaching, and personal growth. Practical applications are illustrated with examples from engineering education and entrepreneurship programs. The findings underscore that enhancing vocal charisma is not merely a soft skill, but a strategic asset for engineers tasked with making ideas happen.","PeriodicalId":35585,"journal":{"name":"IEEE Engineering Management Review","volume":"54 1","pages":"28-35"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148510598","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Call for Papers: Special Issue on Sustainable Management in the AI Era","authors":"","doi":"10.1109/EMR.2025.3621395","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/EMR.2025.3621395","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35585,"journal":{"name":"IEEE Engineering Management Review","volume":"53 6","pages":"4-4"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=11302025","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145760904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}