From interactive control to IT project performance: examining the mediating role of stakeholder analysis effectiveness

Abstract

Purpose–Thispaperaimstounpacktherelationshipbetweentheinteractiveuseof project control systems (PCS) and project performance by examining the role of stakeholder analysis effectiveness in enacting this relationship. A conceptual framework was developed based on the stakeholder theory and the levers of control framework. Design/methodology/approach– Partial least square-structural equation modelling analysis was conducted onthecross-sectional questionnaire data collected from 109 information technology (IT) projects. Findings– The interactive use of PCS enables project managers to effectively deal with the stakeholders related uncertainty, and stakeholder analysis effectiveness partially mediates the positive relationship between theinteractive use of PCSandIT projectperformance. Originality/value– This study extends the project control literature by explaining the positive relationship between the interactive use of PCS and project performance. The findings contribute to the stakeholder analysis literature by operationalizing the stakeholder analysis effectiveness construct and identifying it as a new mediator between theinteractive useof PCSandproject performance. Keywords Stakeholder analysis, Uncertainty, Project control systems, Interactive use, Project performance, Levers of control PapertypeResearch paper