Doctoral thesis of Philosophy: Collaboration and the use of online collaborative toolsets in the project management environment

Collaboration and the Use of Online Collaborative Toolsets in the Project Management Environment

Author: James J. Harley

Field: Project Management

Document Content:

This research investigates the application and impact of online collaborative toolsets (OCTs) within the project management environment (PME). It aims to understand the extent to which collaboration occurs through the use of these internet applications, which enable individuals and groups to work together irrespective of their location or time. The study focuses on the contemporary PME, characterized by complex stakeholder relationships, multiple teams, and dispersed workforces, where efficient coordination and communication are paramount. The research explores the features of OCTs, their utilization in project management, and the level of collaboration they facilitate, proposing that collaboration can be modeled on a scale from cooperation to coordination and ultimately to collaboration.

Detailed Table of Contents:

• Declaration
• Acknowledgements
• Summary
• SECTION ONE: CHAPTER ONE – Introduction
• Background to the Research
• Research Question
• Justification for the Research
• Methodology
• Limitations and Key Assumptions
• Outline of Report
• Definitions
• Summary
• SECTION TWO: CHAPTER TWO – Online Collaborative Toolsets
• Introduction
• Online Collaborative Toolsets
• Groupware
• Hosted Solutions
• Social Networking
• Blogs
• Wiki
• Teaching
• Adoption
• Gaps in Research
• Research Question One
• Summary
• SECTION TWO: CHAPTER THREE – Project Management Environment
• The Project Management Environment
• Project Management Environment Types
• Project Management Environment Organisation Structure
• Online Collaborative Toolsets and Project Websites
• Gaps in Research
• Research Question Two
• Summary
• SECTION TWO: CHAPTER FOUR – Collaboration
• Collaboration Theory
• Definitions
• Essential Elements of Collaboration
• Communication
• Trust and Respect
• Equality and Power
• Strategic Alliances
• Incentive and Value
• Negotiation
• Interorganisational Knowledge Sharing
• Success Factors
• Comparison of Cooperation, Coordination and Collaboration (3Cs)
• Collaboration Scale
• Gaps in Research
• Research Question Three
• Summary
• SECTION THREE: CHAPTER FIVE – Methodology
• Introduction
• Design
• Justification for Research Design
• Case Study Approach
• Cases for Research
• Data Collection
• Questionnaire
• Interviews
• Documents
• Data Validity
• Ethical Considerations
• Summary
• SECTION FOUR: CHAPTER SIX – Characteristics of Online Collaborative Toolsets
• Introduction
• Rationale
• OCT Feature Description
• Central File Repository (document management)
• Task and Project List
• Discussion List / Bulletin Boards / Blogs
• Calendar and Schedule
• Email Notification
• Messages
• Project Dashboard
• Security and Access Rights
• Customised Forms and Templates
• Task Manager
• Address Book
• Search
• Gantt Chart
• Library
• Data Export/Import
• Collaboration Space / Central Ideas Area / Wiki
• Reports
• Chat
• File to Task Attachments
• RSS
• Time Sheets
• Workflow
• Virtual Conference
• Other Features
• Analysis of Case Online Collaborative Toolsets
• Case Mapping
• 3C Mapping
• Summary
• SECTION FOUR: CHAPTER SEVEN – How are Online Collaborative Toolsets used in the Project Management Environment?
• Introduction
• Presentation and Analysis of Results
• PART ONE, Section One: Shared Calendar
• PART ONE, Section Two: Central Database
• PART ONE, Section Three: Share Documents
• PART ONE, Section Four: Store Documents
• PART ONE, Section Five: Announcement Board
• PART ONE, Section Six: Virtual Conferencing
• PART ONE, Section Seven: The OCT in General
• PART ONE, Summary
• PART TWO, Section One: Trust
• PART TWO, Section Two: Communication
• PART TWO, Section Three: Equality
• PART TWO, Section Four: Strategic Alliances
• PART TWO, Section Five: (Project) Knowledge Distribution
• PART TWO, Section Six: Negotiation
• PART TWO, Section Seven: Incentives
• PART TWO, Summary
• Summary
• SECTION FOUR: CHAPTER EIGHT – What is the Level of Collaboration when using Online Collaborative Toolsets in the Project Management Environment?
• Introduction
• Presentation of Results: Collaboration Scale
• Organisation D (State Government Organisation)
• Organisation V (Continuous Improvement Organisation)
• Organisation M (Government Construction Organisation)
• Organisation C (Commercial Construction Project)
• Organisation S (Government Authority)
• Organisation K (Alliance Project)
• Cross-Case Summary
• Summary
• SECTION FIVE: CHAPTER NINE – Conclusion
• Introduction
• Conclusions about the Research Question and Propositions
• Research Question One
• Research Question Two
• Research Question Three
• Conclusion about Research Question
• Implications for Theory
• Implications for Practice
• Implications for Further Research
• REFERENCES
• APPENDICES
• Key Knowledge Areas
• Likert Questionnaire
• Part One Statements set against the PME Knowledge Areas and Collaboration Characteristics
• Likert Statements set against Collaboration scale and Collaboration Characteristics
• Likert questionnaire coded for the Collaboration scale
• Interview Questions
• Plain Language Statement
• Consent Form
• Case One Organisation D
• Case Two Organisation V
• Case Three Organisation M
• Case Four Organisation C
• Case Five Organisation S
• Case Six Organisation K
• Cross-case summary of total aggregate sorted against Collaboration scale
• Organisation D comparative overview of the Prince2 and Departmental Project Management Methodology
• Organisation M Project Management Framework
• Organisation M Project Plan and Procurement Strategy
• Organisation S I.T. Project Lifecycle
• Organisation K Values and Principles
• LIST OF TABLES
• LIST OF FIGURES