CONTEMPORARY BUSINESS MANAGEMENT MODELS: PROJECT NETWORKS AND NETWORK ORGANIZATIONS
Abstract
This article addresses the emergence of networks in practice and the role
they play in contemporary business management models. A literature review of
approaches towards networks has been done and different authors’ perspectives have
been revealed. The synergy between processes, structures and governance of a network
has been identified as performance factor. Networks are analyzed from the resourcebased perspective and are presented as dynamic sets of inter-organizational and interpersonal relationships which sustain beyond particular projects. Uncertainty,
interdependence, coordination and network centrality are pointed out as essential for the
management of a network. The outline of the article is guided by the following questions:
What does a network consist of and what are the different perspectives and dimensions of
networks?; What impact do networks have on projects and how do we manage a project
network?; What are network organizations and their role for the theory and practice of
project management?; What is the effect centrality and coordination have on networks
structure?
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