Creativity in project management teaching: the evidence from systematic literature review
Abstract
This paper presents a systematic literature review of the empirical studies on project management teaching in higher education, examining to what extent teaching methods are oriented towards creativity. The systematic review is based on an analysis of relevant papers published between 1983 and 2019 and extracted from the electronic the ProQuest database and International Journal of Project Management. Literature suggests diverse benefits creativity can bring about to project environment including communication, conflict management, goal setting, and addressing increasing complexity of projectification impacted environment. However, the systematic review revealed that creativity is virtually not addressed at all in teaching of project management in higher education, even though overall diverse teaching methods and learning methods are used in the education of future project managers.
Keyword : creativity, future, higher education, project management, teaching methods
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Ali, H. (2011). A comparison of cooperative learning and traditional lecture methods in the project management department of a tertiary level institution in Trinidad and Tobago. Caribbean Teaching Scholar, 1(1), 49–64.
Amabile, T. M., Barsade, S. G., Mueller, J. S., & Staw, B. M. (2005). Affect and creativity at work. Administrative Science Quarterly, 50(3), 367–403. https://doi.org/10.2189/asqu.2005.50.3.367
Amabile, T. M., & Khaire, M. (2008). Creativity and the role of the leader. Harvard Business Review, 86(10), 100–109, 142.
Andriopoulos, C. (2001). Determinants of organisational creativity: A literature review. Management Decision, 39(10), 834–841. https://doi.org/10.1108/00251740110402328
Apsley, J. (2013). An autonomous line-following robot project as a training tool for project work. International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Education, 50(3), 239–246. https://doi.org/10.7227/IJEEE.50.3.4
Ashleigh, M., Ojiako, U., Chipulu, M., & Wang, J. K. (2012). Critical learning themes in project management education: Implications for blended learning. International Journal of Project Management, 30(2), 153–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2011.05.002
Atkinson, R., Crawford, L., & Ward, S. (2006). Fundamental uncertainties in projects and the scope of project management. International Journal of Project Management, 24(8), 687–698. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2006.09.011
Bayart, C., Bertezene, S., Vallat, D., & Martin, J. (2014). Serious games: Leverage for knowledge management. The TQM Journal, 26(3), 235–252. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-12-2013-0143
Bertsche, R. (2017). Brain stormers: Creativity is in demand – and it can be cultivated. Project Management Institute. https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/creativity-demand-cultivated-10980
Bothello, J., & Roulet, Th. (2018). Management is a social science. Social Science Space. https://www.socialsciencespace.com/2018/06/management-is-a-social-science/
Bredillet, Ch. N., Conboy, K., Davidson, P., & Walker, D. (2013). The getting of wisdom: The future of PM university education in Australia. International Journal of Project Management, 31(8), 1072–1088. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2012.12.013
Brocke, vom J., & Lippe, S. (2010, 1–3 December). Towards creativity-aware project management – an initial study on creativity in research projects [Conference presentation]. 21st Australasian Conference on Information Systems (ACIS 2010). Queensland University of Technology. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. https://webdocs.uni.li/public/03811367.PDF
Cartwright, Ch., & Yinger, M. (2007). Project management competency development framework – second edition. Project Management Institute. https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/project-manager-competency-development-framework-7376
Cerpa, N., & Verner, J. M. (2009). Why did your project fail? Communications of the ACM, 52(12), 130–134. https://doi.org/10.1145/1610252.1610286
Chen, M.-H. (2006). Understanding the benefits and detriments of conflict on team creativity process. Creativity and Innovation Management, 15(1), 105–116. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8691.2006.00373.x
Cicmil, S., & Gaggiotti, H. (2018). Responsible forms of project management education: Theoretical plurality and reflective pedagogies. International Journal of Project Management, 36(1), 208–218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2017.07.005
Cullmann, S. (2013). Creativity and project management: Managing the unexpected and permanent change. Journal of Modern Project Management, 1(1), 86–101.
Davies, A., Manning, S., & Söderlund, J. (2018). When neighboring disciplines fail to learn from each other: The case of innovation and project management research. Research Policy, 47(5), 965–979. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2018.03.002
Divjak, B., & Kukec, S. K. (2008). Teaching methods for international R&D Project Management. International Journal of Project Management, 26(3), 251–257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2008.01.003
Elrod, C. C., Murray, S. L., Flachsbart, B. B., Burgher, K. E., & Foth, D. M. (2010). Utilizing multimedia case studies to teach the professional side of project management. Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research, Special Edition, 7–17.
Geoghegan, L., & Dulewicz, V. (2008). Do project managers’ leadership competencies contribute to project success? Project Management Journal, 39(4), 58–67. https://doi.org/10.1002/pmj.20084
Hallo, L., & Gorod, A. (2019). Toward “Satisficing” creativity effort within system of systems engineering (SoSE) management. Australian Journal of Multi-Disciplinary Engineering, 15(1), 34–43. https://doi.org/10.1080/14488388.2019.1661812
Helgadóttir, H. (2007). The ethical dimension of project management. International Journal of Project Management, 26(7), 743–748. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2007.11.002
Hrepic, Z., Zollman, D. A., & Rebello, N. S. (2007). Comparing students’ and experts’ understanding of the content of a lecture. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 16(3), 213–224. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-007-9048-4
Jesson, J. K., Matheson, L., & Lacey, F. M. (2011). Doing your literature review: Traditional and systematic techniques. SAGE Publications Ltd.
Kampf, C. E., Brandt, Ch. J., & Kampf, Ch. G. (2023). Using action research in innovation project management: Building legitimacy and organizational learning in an SME during a merger process. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 16(1), 92–118. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-02-2020-0044
Kloppenborg, T. J., & Baucus, M. S. (2004). Project management in local nonprofit organizations: Engaging students in problem-based learning. Journal of Management Education, 28(5), 610–629. https://doi.org/10.1177/1052562904266008
Krahn, J., & Hartment, F. (2006). Effective project leadership: A combination of project manager skills and competencies in context. Project Management Institute. https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/leadership-project-manager-skills-competencies-8115
Larsen Svihus, C. (2024). Online teaching in higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Education and Information Technologies, 29, 3175–3193. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-11971-7
Larson, E. W., & Gray, C. F. (2020). Project management: The managerial process. McGraw Hill.
Marder, B., Ferguson, P., Marchant, C., Brennan, M., Hedler, C., Rossi, M., Black, Sh., & Doig, R. (2021). “Going Agile”: Exploring the use of project management tools in fostering psychological safety in group work within management discipline courses. The International Journal of Management Education, 19(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2021.100519
McGuinness, S., Pouliakas, K., & Redmond, P. (2023). Skills-displacing technological change and its impact on jobs: Challenging technological alarmism? Economics of Innovation and New Technology, 32(3), 370–392. https://doi.org/10.1080/10438599.2021.1919517
Mengel, Th. (2008). Outcome-based project management education for emerging leaders – a case study of teaching and learning project management. International Journal of Project Management, 26(3), 275–285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2007.12.004
Mengel, Th., & Thomas, J. (2004). From know-how to know-why – a three dimensional model of project management knowledge. Project Management Institute. https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/concepts-intelligence-emotional-spiritual-knowledge-8247
Merla, E. (2010). Unleashing the project genie (Creativity for project managers). Project Management Institute. https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/creative-thinking-enhance-interpersonal-skills-6900
Minelgaitė, I. (2020–2021). Leading in projectified environment: How well are we failing? Cyseni. https://cyseni.com/speaker/inga-minelgaite/
Minelgaite, I., & Hinriksdóttir, H. M. (2022). Projectification in work-life context of women top managers: “Everything Is a Project”. In M. Mihić, S. Jednak, & G. Savić (Eds.), Sustainable Business management and digital transformation: Challenges and opportunities in the post-COVID era (pp. 575–594). Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-18645-5_36
Minelgaite Snaebjornsson, I., & Runar Edvardsson, I. (2013). Gender, nationality and leadership style: A literature review. International Journal of Business and Management, 8(1), 89–103. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijbm.v8n1p89
Müller, R., & Klein, G. (2020). The COVID-19 pandemic and project management research. Project Management Journal, 51(6), 579–581. https://doi.org/10.1177/8756972820963316
Ng’ambi, D., & Johnston, K. (2006). An ICT-mediated constructivist approach for increasing academic support and teaching critical thinking skills. Educational Technology and Society, 9(3), 244–253.
Ojiako, U., Ashleigh, M., Chipulu, M., & Maguire, S. (2011). Learning and teaching challenges in project management. International Journal of Project Management, 29(3), 268–278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2010.03.008
Pant, I., & Baroudi, B. (2008). Project management education: The human skills imperative. International Journal of Project Management, 26(2), 124–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2007.05.010
Patrucco, A. S., Canterino, F., & Minelgaite, I. (2022). How do scrum methodologies influence the team’s cultural values? A multiple case study on agile teams in nonsoftware industries. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 69(6), 3503–3513. https://doi.org/10.1109/TEM.2022.3146717
Paulus, P. B., & Nijstad, B. A. (Eds.). (2003). Group creativity: Innovation through collaboration. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195147308.001.0001
Pollack, J. (2007). The changing paradigms of project management. International Journal of Project Management, 25(3), 266–274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2006.08.002
Poston, R. S., & Richardson, S. M. (2011). Designing an academic project management program: A collaboration between a university and a PMI chapter. Journal of Information Systems Education, 22(1), 55–72.
Rob, M. A., & Etnyre, V. (2009). Project-based learning: An assessment on team building across the MIS curriculum. Journal of International Business Education, 4, 193–208.
Rolstadås, A. (2013). Experience from continuing education using e-learning. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, 24, 511–516. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10845-011-0542-4
Schoper, Y.-G., Wald, A., Ingason, H. Th., & Fridgeirsson, Th. V. (2018). Projectification in Western economies: A comparative study of Germany, Norway and Iceland. International Journal of Project Management, 36(1), 71–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2017.07.008
Shelley, A. W. (2015). Project management and leadership education facilitated as projects. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 8(3), 478–490. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-09-2014-0059
Ssegawa, J. K., & Kasule, D. (2015). Prayer: A transformative teaching and learning technique in project management. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 8(1), 177–197. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-06-2014-0050
Stoyan, R. (2008). “PM for All™” – intensive small group teaching in leadership and PM, for many students at low cost. International Journal of Project Management, 26(3), 297–303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2008.02.006
Szabó, L. (2016). Sustainability, creativity and innovation in project management – model development for assessing organizational performance through projects. VEZETÉSTUDOMÁNY, 47(10), 3–18. https://doi.org/10.14267/VEZTUD.2016.10.01
Thomas, J., & Mengel, Th. (2008). Preparing project managers to deal with complexity – advanced project management education. International Journal of Project Management, 26(3), 304–315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2008.01.001
Udo, N., & Koppensteiner, S. (2004). What are the core competencies of a successful project manager? Project Management Institute. https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/core-competencies-successful-skill-manager-8426
Waheeb, R. A., Wheib, K. A., Andersen, B. S., & Al-Suhiili, R. (2023). Impact of pandemic SARS COVID-19 on different construction project management: Problems and solutions. Public Works Management and Policy, 28(3), 306–338. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087724X221113579
Warner, P. D. (2012). Creativity and innovation in project management. Project Management Institute. https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/creativity-innovation-project-management-6037
Xu, X., Lu, Y., Vogel-Heuser, B., & Wang, L. (2021). Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 – inception, conception and perception. Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 61, 530–535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmsy.2021.10.006
Zulch, B. (2014). Leadership communication in project management. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 119, 172–181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.03.021
Zwikael, O., & Gonen, A. (2007). Project Execution Game (PEG): Training towards managing unexpected events. Journal of European Industrial Training, 31(6), 495–512. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090590710772668