A fine balance? Unwrapping the coexistence of projects and non-projects in the core of the organization

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend the understanding of projects in permanent organizations. Previous research has captured organizational contexts where either a project logic dominates or projects support recurrent, ongoing operations. Through a case study, the author shows how projects and non-projects coexist over time in the core of the organization in a balanced manner, addressing the specific tensions in such an organization.

Design/methodology/approach

The author has undertaken a case study of the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate. The analysis is based on several types of data: internal reports, descriptions of structure and roles, internal handbooks and other documents from the period 1998–2018; interviews with ten persons in different roles in the organization; and a survey of 190 employees and middle managers (response rate: 84 percent).

Findings

The author finds that the balance of projects and non-project work, work units and rationale has been an institutional and stabile characteristic, rather than a transitory state of a Norwegian state directorate. It is also found that two types of products or set of tasks are reflected in two types of work groups: long-term work groups and project work groups. There is a subjective element regarding whether a new task should be integrated into an existing long-term unit or serve as the basis of creating a new project. The analysis of work organization, leadership and employee perceptions has revealed a number of similarities and differences between the two work contexts: the long-term work groups and the projects. The balance of projects and non-projects is maintained through shared beliefs and the process of allocation of personnel. This balance is threatened through actual practice in the organization.

Research limitations/implications

A case study does not allow for statistical generalizations. The implication of the study is the revelation of a potential research gap “between” a project-based organization (PBO), on the one hand, and a project-supported organization (PSO), on the other hand.

Practical implications

For organizations that combine projects and non-projects in the core, the paper could contribute to the understanding of tensions and the way to handle them, and provide inspiration regarding mechanisms for resource allocation.

Originality/value

This paper identifies and empirically describes an organization where both projects and non-projects are of great importance in the core activities of the firm, thus filling a “gap” between the PBO and PSO. A number of aspects of this organization are analyzed, including how the balance of the two logics has been maintained over the two decades. The study could provide the basis for a number of research questions on the coexistence of and tensions between projects and non-projects in the core of an organization.

Citation

Nesheim, T. (2020), "A fine balance? Unwrapping the coexistence of projects and non-projects in the core of the organization", International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, Vol. 13 No. 3, pp. 505-519. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-12-2018-0272