Project control: an exploratory study of levers of control in the context of managing projects
Journal of Accounting & Organizational Change
ISSN: 1832-5912
Article publication date: 7 November 2016
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the levers of control (LOC) framework in the context of managing projects. The authors explore the impact of diagnostic systems, interactive systems, beliefs systems and boundary systems on project performance and explore the association between control levers.
Design/methodology/approach
Using data gathered from 113 project managers representing 38 organizations, the authors used the partial least squares path modelling algorithm to analyse the data.
Findings
The analysis validates the LOC framework in the context of managing projects and reveals the interrelatedness of control systems and their impact on project performance.
Research limitations/implications
The conclusions support the current emphasis on performance reporting and change control and highlight the need to consider the interdependencies between control levers.
Originality/value
This study re-conceptualizes project control by using the LOC framework in the context of managing projects as temporary organizations. This provides a model for investigating and understanding project management control systems that consider the interaction of control mechanisms. Furthermore, the associations between the four control systems and project performance are examined, rather than individual mechanisms in isolation.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This study was funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, institutional grant and Longo’s Research Partnership.
Citation
Rezania, D., Baker, R. and Burga, R. (2016), "Project control: an exploratory study of levers of control in the context of managing projects", Journal of Accounting & Organizational Change, Vol. 12 No. 4, pp. 614-635. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAOC-10-2015-0084
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited