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Organisational routines in project-based organisations: an exploratory study

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posted on 2023-06-15, 13:55 authored by Dajana D'Andrea
This research explores the existence and evolution of organizational routines in small firm Project-Based Organisations (PBOs). To reach this aim, it investigates the interplay between the two aspects making up a routine: ostensive – i.e. the abstract representation – and performative – i.e. actual implementation. PBOs represent an interesting context, because project differences and discontinuities challenge the emergence, development and evolution of routines, yet the requirements of efficiency and co-ordination through repeated, similar actions would suggest the need for routines even in small firm PBOs. I have adopted an inductive case study research. The empirical setting is a Public Relation and Communication agency, where small firm PBOs are a typical form of organisation. The process nature of the subject of inquiry required a combination of bottom up and top down approaches that enabled me to identify and analyse routines in depth. As per the topdown approach, relying on extant theory, I developed a list of concepts discussed in the literature on organisational routines that in turn provided the basis for a framework within which analyse the empirical evidence. The bottom up approach draws on descriptive narratives, visual mapping, and grounded theory. The research provides both theoretical and empirical contributions towards a better understanding of the characteristics and evolution of organisational routines in small firm PBOs. Routines exist and are important for coordination and efficiency even in small firm PBOs. They are project procedures not necessarily embedded in any artefact, but perceived as regular processes by project participants. Across projects routines evolve by adapting to the context where they take place. Contexts are in turn shaped by contingencies pertaining to the actors, the project, organisational departments, and the specificities of the customer and the markets they serve. These contingencies define problems and issues that actors involved in the routine face. Facing problems and issues causes the routine to adapt, making the sequence and the content of the actions forming it different across projects. Predictability and recurrence of contingencies and related issues determine how routines adaptation occurs. When contingencies and issues are expected and recur across several projects, adaptation is planned in advance and is supposed to concern both ostensive and performative aspects of the routine. When contingencies and issues are less predictable or occur in just a single project, adaptation concerns only the performative aspect, keeping unchanged the ostensive one. In line with the low level of codification that informs small firm PBO activities, routines’ adaptation is not necessarily embedded in any artefact. However, when adaptation is imposed by the owner or senior management, it can be communicated clearly to the interested actors. For small firm PBOs, the research suggests that adaptation of the routines they implement is fundamental to carrying out project activities effectively. It also implies that when aiming to change the way the organisation operates, entrepreneurs and managers should pay attention to both to the design of the routines themselves and the way actors perceive and implement changes to the routines. In addition, the study suggests that further investigation on how firm size and sector shapes the characteristics and dynamics of routines would be invaluable to the field. Regarding theory, the thesis contributes an articulation of the relationship between the two aspects of routines, performative and ostensive. Further research on the nature and functioning of routines in other types of organisation and sector would address the limitations of extant literature and achieve a more comprehensive understanding of routines.

History

File Version

  • Published version

Pages

256.0

Department affiliated with

  • SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Theses

Qualification level

  • doctoral

Qualification name

  • dphil

Language

  • eng

Institution

University of Sussex

Full text available

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-06-21

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