A complexity perspective on project stakeholder management

Jere Lehtinen, Christof Kier, Kirsi Aaltonen, Martina Huemann

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterScientificpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Managing stakeholders is an essential part of complex project organizing. Stakeholder management is a key activity for creating value to project stakeholders and ensuring successful project delivery. However, previous research suggests that stakeholder management is challenging due to project complexity. While stakeholder management and project complexity are vastly researched themes in the field of project management, the intersection of stakeholder management and project complexity has received less attention, especially regarding how project complexity influences stakeholder management. The purpose of this chapter is to apply a complexity of projects perspective and use its three dimensions, structural, socio-political, and emergent complexity, as a framework to discuss how project complexity influences stakeholder management. The chapter provides insights into the main challenges but also shares opportunities in taking a complexity perspective on managing project stakeholders. We conclude with future research ideas, including suggestions for potential research questions and theoretical perspectives to be mobilized forward.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationResearch Handbook on Complex Project Organizing
EditorsGraham M. Winch, Maude Brunet, Dongping Cao
PublisherEdward Elgar
Pages243-253
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-80088-028-3
ISBN (Print)978-1-80088-027-6
Publication statusPublished - 2023
MoE publication typeA3 Book section, Chapters in research books

Publication series

NameEdward Elgar Research Handbooks in Business and Management
PublisherEdward Elgar

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