Research Article
BibTex RIS Cite

Social Network Theory in Project Management: A Bibliometric Analysis

Year 2023, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 63 - 82, 30.09.2023

Mustafa Hafizoglu Şule Tuzlukaya

Abstract

Purpose: This study employs a bibliometric analysis of project management literature from 2001 to 2022 to investigate the use of social network theory in project management. The main goal is not only to present the current state of the social network theory usage in project management but also to explore emerging trends of this new field in project management.
Methodology: Bibliometric analysis is used by focusing on related articles between the years 2001-2022 in the Web of Science database to investigate the state and evolution of social network theory in project management. Cluster analysis which is a powerful tool employed in SNA (Social Network Analysis) is utilized for the grouping of items based on similarities or distances between them.
Findings: The study revealed that although the Social Network Theory (SNT) approach in project management is gaining popularity, its implementation remains limited. The literature primarily focused on specific project types, such as construction projects, while neglecting others that involve multiple stakeholders and relationships, such as innovation, R&D, IT, space, and agricultural projects. Moreover, the study identified that SNT is predominantly used in three knowledge areas, namely, risk management, stakeholder management, and knowledge management.
Implications: Understanding the SNT approach in project management can help project managers create more effective teams, improve stakeholder engagement, foster collaboration and innovation, and mitigate project risks.
Limitations: This study is limited to Web of Science database. Future research may extend our efforts by digging into more databases.

Keywords

Social network theory project management bibliometric analysis relationship patterns research trends

References

  • Anugerah, A. R., Muttaqin, P. S., Trinarningsih, W., (2022), Social network analysis in business and management research: A bibliometric analysis of the research trend and performance from 2001 to 2020, Heliyon, Vol 8, pp. 1-12.
  • Barabasi, A. (2002), Linked: The New Science of Networks, Perseus Publishing.
  • Benjamins, R. (2020), Towards organizational guidelines for the responsible use of AI, paper presented at the 24th European Conference on Artificial Intelligence, 29 August-8 September, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, available at https://ecai2020.eu/papers/1347_paper.pdf (accessed 20 February 2023).
  • Breiger,R., (2004), The Analysis of Social Networks, Hardy, M. and Bryman, A., (Ed.), Handbook of Data Analysis, Sage Publications., pp. 505-526.
  • Borgatti, S. P., Everett, M. M., Johnson, J.C., (2013), Analyzing Social Networks, SAGE Publishing.
  • Borgatti, S. P. and Foster, P. (2003), The Network Paradigm in Organizational Research: A Review and Typology, Journal of Management, Vol 29 No.6, pp. 991-1013.
  • Chen, C., Hu, Z., Liu, S., & Tseng, H. (2012), Emerging trends in regenerative medicine: A scientometric analysis in CiteSpace, Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy, Vol. 12, No. 5 pp. 593–608
  • Chung, K., S., K., Crawford, L., (2016), The role of social networks and methodology for project stakeholder management”, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Vol 226, pp. 372-380.
  • Chowdhury, A.N., Chen, P.H., and Tiong, R.L.K., (2011). Analysing the structure of public–private partnership projects using network theory. Constr. Manag. Econ. Vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 247–260.
  • Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N., Lim, W. M., (2021), How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines, Journal of Business Research, Vol 133 pp. 285-296.
  • Emirbayer, M. & Goodwin, J., (1994), Network Analysis, Culture, and the Problem of Agency, American Journal of Sociology, Vol 99, No. 1411.
  • Granovetter, M., (1994). Structural analysis in the social sciences, Social network analysis: Methods and applications. Cambridge University Press
  • Guo, D., Berry, M. W., Thompson, B. B., Bailin, S., (2003). Knowledge-Enhanced Latent Semantic Indexing, Information Retrieval, Vol 6, pp. 225–250.
  • Johnson, S. C., (1967), Hierarchical Clustering Schemes, Psychometrika--Vol 32, No. 3, pp. 241-254. Jafari, P., Mohamed, E., Lee, S., Abourizk S. (2020), Social network analysis of change management processes for communication assessment, Automation in Construction, Vol 118 No. 103292, pp. 1-10.
  • Liu, K., Liu, Y., Kou, Y., Yang X., and Hu G. (2023). Relational network of megaproject governance mechanism based on risk prevention and control: experiences from China, Production Planning & Control, DOI: 10.1080/09537287.2023.2209545.
  • Loosemore, M., Braham, R., Yiming, Y., Bronkhorst, C., (2020), Relational determinants of construction project outcomes: a social network perspective, Construction Management and Economics, Vol 38, No. 11, pp. 1061-1070.
  • Mead, S., P., (2001), Using Social Network Analysis to Visualize Project Teams, Project Management Journal, Vol 32, No. 4, pp. 32–38.
  • Mok, K. Y., Shena, G. Q., Yangb, R. J., (2017), A network theory-based analysis of stakeholder issues and their interrelationships in large construction projects: a case study, International Journal of Construction Management, Vol. 17, No. 3, pp. 210-227.
  • Nunes, M., Abreu, A., (2020), Applying Social Network Analysis to Identify Project Critical Success Factors, Sustainability, Vol 12, No. 1503, pp. 1-32.
  • Nunes, M., Abreu, A., Bagnjuk, J., Tiedtke, J., (2021), Measuring project performance by applying social network analyses, International Journal of Innovation Studies, Vol 5, No.2, pp. 35-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijis.2021.05.001
  • Pryke, S., Badi, S., Almadhoob, H., Soundararaj, B., Addyman, S., (2018), Self-Organizing Networks in Complex Infrastructure Projects, Project Management Journal, Vol 49, No. 2, pp. 18–41.
  • Pryke, S. D., (2005), Towards a social network theory of project governance, Construction Management and Economics, Vol 23, No. 9, pp. 927-939.
  • Qiu, Y., Chen, H., (2022). A systematic review of the knowledge domain of institutional theory in construction project management, Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, available at https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/ECAM-08-2021-0754/full/html (accessed 20 February 2023).
  • Rowley, T., J., (1997), Moving beyond Dyadic Ties: A Network Theory of Stakeholder Influences, The Academy of Management Review , Vol 22, No. 4, pp. 887-910.
  • Salancik, G. R., (1995), WANTED: A good network theory of organization, Administrative Science Quarterly , Vol 40, No. 2, pp. 345-349.
  • Sankaran, S., Piccard, L., Qian, S., Toma, T., Shepherd, M., (2021), Principles-Based Project Management: Where to Now?, Project Management Journal Special Issue | Call For Papers.
  • Silva, L. F., Rodrigues, L. M. G. P., Fernandes, N. P., Rodrigues, W. M., Guevera, A. J. H., (2018), Fostering A Sustainable Society By Introducing Project Management Practices, Journal on Innovation and Sustainability, Vol. 9, No. 1.
  • South, A. J., Eriksson, K., Levitt, R., (2018), How Infrastructure Public-Private Partnership Projects Change over Project Development Phases, Project Management Journal, Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 62–80.
  • Takahashi, M., Indulska, M., Steen, J., (2018), Collaborative Research Project Networks: Knowledge Transfer at the Fuzzy Front End of Innovation, Project Management Journal, Vol. 49, No.4, pp. 36–52.
  • Xu, J., Lu, W., (2023), How Does Hierarchy Steepness Affect Coordination in Project-Based Organizations? A Social Network Analysis, Project Management Journal, (onlinefirst:https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/87569728221150897), https://doi.org/10.1177/87569728221150897
  • Xue, J., Shen, G. Q., Yang, R. J., Wu, H., Li, X., Lin, X., Xue, F., (2020), Mapping the knowledge domain of stakeholder perspective studies in construction projects: A bibliometric approach, International Journal of Project Management, Vol 38, pp. 313-326.
  • Van Eck, N. J., Waltman, L., 2009. Vosviewer: A Computer Program for Bibliometric Mapping, ERIM Report Series Reference No. ERS-2009-005-LIS. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1346848
  • Van Eck, N. J., Waltman, L., Dekker, R.,Van Den Berg, J., 2010. A comparison of two techniques for bibliometric mapping: Multidimensional scaling and VOS, Journal of the American Society for Information Science. Vol 61, no. 12, pp. 2405-2416.
  • Wang, H., Lu, W., Söderlund, J., Chen, K., (2018), The Interplay between Formal and Informal Institutions in Projects: A Social Network Analysis, Project Management Journal, Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 20–35.
  • Wang, Y., Wang, Y., J., Wu, X. Y., Li, J. W., (2020), Exploring the Risk Factors of Infrastructure PPP Projects for Sustainable Delivery: A Social Network Perspective, Sustainability, Vol 12, No. 10, pp. 1-26.
  • Wasserman, S., & Faust, K. (1994), Social network analysis: Methods and applications. Cambridge University Press
  • Yang, L.R., Huang, C.F., Wu, K.S., (2011), The association among project manager's leadership style, teamwork and project success, International Journal of Project Management, Vol 29, No. 3, pp. 258-267.
  • Yang, J., Shen, G. Q., Ho, M. F., Drew, D. S., Xue, X. L., (2011), Stakeholder management in construction: An empirical study to address research gaps in previous studies, International Journal of Project Management Vol. 29, No. 7, pp. 900 – 910.
  • Yu, T., Shen, G. Q., Shi, Q., Lai, X., Li, C. ,Z., Xu, K., (2017), Managing social risks at the housing demolition stage of urban redevelopment projects: A stakeholder-oriented study using social network analysis, International Journal of Project Management Vol. 35, pp. 925 – 941.
  • Zheng, X., Le, Y., Chan, A. P. C., Hu, Y., Li, Y., (2016), Review of the application of social network analysis (SNA) in construction project management research, International Journal of Project Management Vol. 34 pp. 1214–1225.

Proje Yönetiminde Sosyal Ağdüzenekleri Kuramı: Bibliyometrik bir Analiz

Year 2023, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 63 - 82, 30.09.2023

Mustafa Hafizoglu Şule Tuzlukaya

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın temel amacı proje yönetiminde sosyal ağdüzenekleri kuramının kullanımının mevcut durumunu sunmak ve proje yönetiminde bu yeni alanın ortaya koyduğu eğilimleri keşfetmek; kuramın proje yönetimi literatürü ve uygulamalarına katkı sağlayabileceği alanları göstermektir.
Yöntem: Proje yönetiminde Sosyal Ağdüzenekleri Kuramı kullanımını araştırmak için Web of Science veri tabanında 2001-2022 yılları arasındaki ilgili makalelere odaklanılarak bibliyometrik analiz metodu kullanılmaktadır. Kümeleme analizi ile de benzerlik veya farklılıklara göre gruplandırılma yapılmaktadır.
Bulgular: Çalışma, proje yönetiminde sosyal ağdüzenekleri kuramının popülerlik kazanmasına rağmen, uygulamasının sınırlı kaldığını ortaya koymaktadır. Bu kapsamdaki literatürün inovasyon, Ar-Ge, bilişim teknolojileri, uzay ve tarım projeleri gibi birden çok paydaş ve ilişkiyi içeren projeleri ihmal ederken, öncelikle inşaat projeleri gibi belirli proje türlerine odaklandığı görülmektedir. Ayrıca bu çalışma, Sosyal Ağdüzenekleri Kuramının ağırlıklı olarak risk yönetimi, paydaş yönetimi ve bilgi yönetimi olmak üzere üç bilgi alanında kullanıldığınnıı tespit etmiştir.
Sonuç ve Katkılar: Proje yönetiminde Sosyal Ağdüzenekleri Kuramı yaklaşımını anlamanın, proje yöneticilerinin daha etkili ekipler oluşturmasına, paydaş katılımını geliştirmesine, iş birliğini ve yeniliği teşvik etmesine ve proje risklerini azaltmasına yardımcı olabileceği sonucuna varılmıştır.
Sınırlılıklar: Bu çalışma Web of Science veri tabanı ile sınırlıdır. Gelecekteki araştırmalar, daha fazla veritabanına girerek çabalarımızı genişletebilir.

Keywords

Sosyal Ağdüzenekleri Kuramı proje yönetimi bibliyometrik analiz ilişki kalıpları araştırma eğilimleri

References

  • Anugerah, A. R., Muttaqin, P. S., Trinarningsih, W., (2022), Social network analysis in business and management research: A bibliometric analysis of the research trend and performance from 2001 to 2020, Heliyon, Vol 8, pp. 1-12.
  • Barabasi, A. (2002), Linked: The New Science of Networks, Perseus Publishing.
  • Benjamins, R. (2020), Towards organizational guidelines for the responsible use of AI, paper presented at the 24th European Conference on Artificial Intelligence, 29 August-8 September, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, available at https://ecai2020.eu/papers/1347_paper.pdf (accessed 20 February 2023).
  • Breiger,R., (2004), The Analysis of Social Networks, Hardy, M. and Bryman, A., (Ed.), Handbook of Data Analysis, Sage Publications., pp. 505-526.
  • Borgatti, S. P., Everett, M. M., Johnson, J.C., (2013), Analyzing Social Networks, SAGE Publishing.
  • Borgatti, S. P. and Foster, P. (2003), The Network Paradigm in Organizational Research: A Review and Typology, Journal of Management, Vol 29 No.6, pp. 991-1013.
  • Chen, C., Hu, Z., Liu, S., & Tseng, H. (2012), Emerging trends in regenerative medicine: A scientometric analysis in CiteSpace, Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy, Vol. 12, No. 5 pp. 593–608
  • Chung, K., S., K., Crawford, L., (2016), The role of social networks and methodology for project stakeholder management”, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Vol 226, pp. 372-380.
  • Chowdhury, A.N., Chen, P.H., and Tiong, R.L.K., (2011). Analysing the structure of public–private partnership projects using network theory. Constr. Manag. Econ. Vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 247–260.
  • Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N., Lim, W. M., (2021), How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines, Journal of Business Research, Vol 133 pp. 285-296.
  • Emirbayer, M. & Goodwin, J., (1994), Network Analysis, Culture, and the Problem of Agency, American Journal of Sociology, Vol 99, No. 1411.
  • Granovetter, M., (1994). Structural analysis in the social sciences, Social network analysis: Methods and applications. Cambridge University Press
  • Guo, D., Berry, M. W., Thompson, B. B., Bailin, S., (2003). Knowledge-Enhanced Latent Semantic Indexing, Information Retrieval, Vol 6, pp. 225–250.
  • Johnson, S. C., (1967), Hierarchical Clustering Schemes, Psychometrika--Vol 32, No. 3, pp. 241-254. Jafari, P., Mohamed, E., Lee, S., Abourizk S. (2020), Social network analysis of change management processes for communication assessment, Automation in Construction, Vol 118 No. 103292, pp. 1-10.
  • Liu, K., Liu, Y., Kou, Y., Yang X., and Hu G. (2023). Relational network of megaproject governance mechanism based on risk prevention and control: experiences from China, Production Planning & Control, DOI: 10.1080/09537287.2023.2209545.
  • Loosemore, M., Braham, R., Yiming, Y., Bronkhorst, C., (2020), Relational determinants of construction project outcomes: a social network perspective, Construction Management and Economics, Vol 38, No. 11, pp. 1061-1070.
  • Mead, S., P., (2001), Using Social Network Analysis to Visualize Project Teams, Project Management Journal, Vol 32, No. 4, pp. 32–38.
  • Mok, K. Y., Shena, G. Q., Yangb, R. J., (2017), A network theory-based analysis of stakeholder issues and their interrelationships in large construction projects: a case study, International Journal of Construction Management, Vol. 17, No. 3, pp. 210-227.
  • Nunes, M., Abreu, A., (2020), Applying Social Network Analysis to Identify Project Critical Success Factors, Sustainability, Vol 12, No. 1503, pp. 1-32.
  • Nunes, M., Abreu, A., Bagnjuk, J., Tiedtke, J., (2021), Measuring project performance by applying social network analyses, International Journal of Innovation Studies, Vol 5, No.2, pp. 35-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijis.2021.05.001
  • Pryke, S., Badi, S., Almadhoob, H., Soundararaj, B., Addyman, S., (2018), Self-Organizing Networks in Complex Infrastructure Projects, Project Management Journal, Vol 49, No. 2, pp. 18–41.
  • Pryke, S. D., (2005), Towards a social network theory of project governance, Construction Management and Economics, Vol 23, No. 9, pp. 927-939.
  • Qiu, Y., Chen, H., (2022). A systematic review of the knowledge domain of institutional theory in construction project management, Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, available at https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/ECAM-08-2021-0754/full/html (accessed 20 February 2023).
  • Rowley, T., J., (1997), Moving beyond Dyadic Ties: A Network Theory of Stakeholder Influences, The Academy of Management Review , Vol 22, No. 4, pp. 887-910.
  • Salancik, G. R., (1995), WANTED: A good network theory of organization, Administrative Science Quarterly , Vol 40, No. 2, pp. 345-349.
  • Sankaran, S., Piccard, L., Qian, S., Toma, T., Shepherd, M., (2021), Principles-Based Project Management: Where to Now?, Project Management Journal Special Issue | Call For Papers.
  • Silva, L. F., Rodrigues, L. M. G. P., Fernandes, N. P., Rodrigues, W. M., Guevera, A. J. H., (2018), Fostering A Sustainable Society By Introducing Project Management Practices, Journal on Innovation and Sustainability, Vol. 9, No. 1.
  • South, A. J., Eriksson, K., Levitt, R., (2018), How Infrastructure Public-Private Partnership Projects Change over Project Development Phases, Project Management Journal, Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 62–80.
  • Takahashi, M., Indulska, M., Steen, J., (2018), Collaborative Research Project Networks: Knowledge Transfer at the Fuzzy Front End of Innovation, Project Management Journal, Vol. 49, No.4, pp. 36–52.
  • Xu, J., Lu, W., (2023), How Does Hierarchy Steepness Affect Coordination in Project-Based Organizations? A Social Network Analysis, Project Management Journal, (onlinefirst:https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/87569728221150897), https://doi.org/10.1177/87569728221150897
  • Xue, J., Shen, G. Q., Yang, R. J., Wu, H., Li, X., Lin, X., Xue, F., (2020), Mapping the knowledge domain of stakeholder perspective studies in construction projects: A bibliometric approach, International Journal of Project Management, Vol 38, pp. 313-326.
  • Van Eck, N. J., Waltman, L., 2009. Vosviewer: A Computer Program for Bibliometric Mapping, ERIM Report Series Reference No. ERS-2009-005-LIS. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1346848
  • Van Eck, N. J., Waltman, L., Dekker, R.,Van Den Berg, J., 2010. A comparison of two techniques for bibliometric mapping: Multidimensional scaling and VOS, Journal of the American Society for Information Science. Vol 61, no. 12, pp. 2405-2416.
  • Wang, H., Lu, W., Söderlund, J., Chen, K., (2018), The Interplay between Formal and Informal Institutions in Projects: A Social Network Analysis, Project Management Journal, Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 20–35.
  • Wang, Y., Wang, Y., J., Wu, X. Y., Li, J. W., (2020), Exploring the Risk Factors of Infrastructure PPP Projects for Sustainable Delivery: A Social Network Perspective, Sustainability, Vol 12, No. 10, pp. 1-26.
  • Wasserman, S., & Faust, K. (1994), Social network analysis: Methods and applications. Cambridge University Press
  • Yang, L.R., Huang, C.F., Wu, K.S., (2011), The association among project manager's leadership style, teamwork and project success, International Journal of Project Management, Vol 29, No. 3, pp. 258-267.
  • Yang, J., Shen, G. Q., Ho, M. F., Drew, D. S., Xue, X. L., (2011), Stakeholder management in construction: An empirical study to address research gaps in previous studies, International Journal of Project Management Vol. 29, No. 7, pp. 900 – 910.
  • Yu, T., Shen, G. Q., Shi, Q., Lai, X., Li, C. ,Z., Xu, K., (2017), Managing social risks at the housing demolition stage of urban redevelopment projects: A stakeholder-oriented study using social network analysis, International Journal of Project Management Vol. 35, pp. 925 – 941.
  • Zheng, X., Le, Y., Chan, A. P. C., Hu, Y., Li, Y., (2016), Review of the application of social network analysis (SNA) in construction project management research, International Journal of Project Management Vol. 34 pp. 1214–1225.
There are 40 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Finance and Investment (Other)
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Mustafa Hafizoglu 0000-0003-4935-7791

Şule Tuzlukaya 0000-0001-8244-6396

Publication Date September 30, 2023
Published in Issue Year 2023 Volume: 7 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Hafizoglu, M., & Tuzlukaya, Ş. (2023). Social Network Theory in Project Management: A Bibliometric Analysis. Başkent Üniversitesi Ticari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, 7(2), 63-82.
 Download Cover Image