Continental thinking: a tool for accessing the project experience

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline a research agenda for the phenomena of projects grounded in Continental philosophy concepts as an alternative to the dominant Analytical thinking.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical exploration of Continental concepts in generic terms; discussion of the examples of discourse on various philosophical lenses in different disciplines; discussion of extant examples in the project literature of Continental themes; conceptualisation and discussion of the Continental research agenda.

Findings

The integrated Continental research agenda proposes three key themes: experience, projectyness and being. This interpretive lens is important for providing an alternative worldview to the dominant Analytical viewpoint.

Originality/value

The paper provides an integrated Continental framework (drawing on a variety of Continental themes) for the conceptualisation of, and inquiry into the experience of project work. It highlights how our worldview impacts our interpretation of phenomena.

Citation

van der Hoorn, B. (2016), "Continental thinking: a tool for accessing the project experience", International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, Vol. 9 No. 4, pp. 865-891. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-06-2015-0044