Abstract:
This paper aims to synthesize knowledge about project management (PM) in cross-sector partnerships (CSP) from three perspectives: project methodology (methodology), project leadership (PL), and project team building (TB). The author also analyses those perspectives in each type of the functioning of CSP (Business-Public institution, Business-NGO’s, Public institution - NGO’s, Tri-sector partnership. Based on selected articles, the author, following the adopted search strategy in the SCOPUS database, synthesizes current knowledge (what do we know?) and research directions in these areas indicated by other authors based on literature reviews. In summary, the author indicates his directions for further research in the described area.
The article uses a systematic literature review based on the SCOPUS database. A bibliometric analysis of articles indexed in the Scopus database was carried out (as a result, 58 articles were identified). After analyzing abstracts and a manual in-depth review, the final sample comprised 24 documents. The most frequently described projects were those related to social housing, producing socially valuable goods, and related to migration phenomena. In their descriptions, the authors focused primarily on presenting PM in CSP in the objective aspect, rarely focusing on the subjectivity of the PM in the CSP aspect. In 23 out of 24 articles, the authors presented empirical research.
This article identified the following conclusions. All authors in the articles analyzed agree that there are no 'universal' descriptions of the PM in the CSP phenomenon. Another conclusion is that there is a relatively high asymmetry of knowledge, mainly due to the power and ownership of the funds that finance implementation The most common theories cited by the authors are: resource-based view theory, agency theory, resource-based theory, institutional theory, affect theory and value creation theory. It is essential to continuously monitor scientific developments in this field, as this may facilitate the description of the CSP phenomenon.
A systematic review of the literature and an analysis of its content has produced an overview of the scientific currents using the PM phenomenon in CSP. In addition, the most frequent scientific trends in the descriptions occurring in the identified perspectives (methodology, PL, and TB) in the different types of partnerships have been distinguished, and steps have been taken to consolidate these approaches in the management sciences. These activities will allow researchers to guide perspectives on the perception of the PM in the CSP phenomenon. They can also qualify the identification/definition of their approach and sort out/categorize the conceptual chaos.
