TY - JOUR
T1 - The ritualization of transition in the project life cycle
T2 - A study of transition rituals in construction projects
AU - van den Ende, A.L.
AU - van Marrewijk, A.H.
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - To manage the project life cycle and facilitate transitions, Project Management (PM) research often points to temporal models and structuring devices. However, the social and symbolic facet of transitions in projects remains understudied. Therefore, this research focuses on the ritualization of transitions in projects. Specifically, the aim is to gain insight into the practice and meaning of transition rituals in the project life cycle. To do so we draw from field research in the infrastructure sector where participant-observation was carried out during eight transition rituals in four Dutch construction projects, and 58 interviews were executed with project participants. The contribution to the PM debate on temporary organizing lies in the conceptualization of transition rituals as powerful symbolic and strategic practices in the project life cycle, and in the provision of an overview showcasing how, when and why transition rituals are practiced to facilitate transitions and embed a project in its environment. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.
AB - To manage the project life cycle and facilitate transitions, Project Management (PM) research often points to temporal models and structuring devices. However, the social and symbolic facet of transitions in projects remains understudied. Therefore, this research focuses on the ritualization of transitions in projects. Specifically, the aim is to gain insight into the practice and meaning of transition rituals in the project life cycle. To do so we draw from field research in the infrastructure sector where participant-observation was carried out during eight transition rituals in four Dutch construction projects, and 58 interviews were executed with project participants. The contribution to the PM debate on temporary organizing lies in the conceptualization of transition rituals as powerful symbolic and strategic practices in the project life cycle, and in the provision of an overview showcasing how, when and why transition rituals are practiced to facilitate transitions and embed a project in its environment. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.
U2 - 10.1016/j.ijproman.2014.02.007
DO - 10.1016/j.ijproman.2014.02.007
M3 - Article
SN - 0263-7863
VL - 32
SP - 1134
EP - 1145
JO - International journal of project management
JF - International journal of project management
IS - 7
ER -