How Coordination Trajectories Influence the Performance of Interorganizational Project Networks

Organization Science, Forthcoming

50 Pages Posted: 5 May 2017

See all articles by Nuno Oliveira

Nuno Oliveira

Tilburg University

Fabrice Lumineau

University of Hong Kong

Date Written: May 5, 2017

Abstract

This study examines how the joint use of integrators and contracts either enables or hampers coordination and, in turn, the performance of interorganizational project networks. Using extensive qualitative analyses and socio-metric techniques, we investigated coordination among organizations during seven small and medium-sized building projects. Our longitudinal study reveals how integrators develop connecting functions that, together with contracts’ steering functions, largely drive coordination dynamics. Further data analyses provide insight into how coordination hinges on the prevalence of connecting or steering, which may more or less fit with coordination needs in various project phases. Given these findings, we theorize the contingent nature of the interplay between the use of integrators and contracts throughout projects. Our findings are integrated into a process model of how coordination trajectories lead to different performance levels of interorganizational project networks. Our study has theoretical implications for the literature on project-based organizing and, more broadly, the literature on interorganizational coordination.

Keywords: Coordination, interorganizational project networks, performance, longitudinal study, building industry

Suggested Citation

Oliveira, Nuno and Lumineau, Fabrice, How Coordination Trajectories Influence the Performance of Interorganizational Project Networks (May 5, 2017). Organization Science, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2963950

Nuno Oliveira

Tilburg University ( email )

P.O. Box 90153
Tilburg, DC Noord-Brabant 5000 LE
Netherlands

Fabrice Lumineau (Contact Author)

University of Hong Kong ( email )

HKU Business School
Hong Kong
Hong Kong

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
171
Abstract Views
588
Rank
315,815
PlumX Metrics