Dramaturgical Theory as a Lens to View Project Management Issues in an IOIS Project

This qualitative study analyses the lived experiences of project members who worked in a three-yearlong inter-organisational information system (IOIS) project. The IOIS project spanned nine organisations. The data was gathered by means of interviews, observations of project meetings, diaries, project memoranda and emails sent by project members to each other during these years. This study used dramaturgical theory by Goffman (1959, 1963, 1974) as a lens to view human issues in an IOIS project to further the understanding of the human issues of project management. We also demonstrate how a dramaturgical perspective to assess emotional issues not only helps our understanding of inter-organisational information systems but also improves management of projects. The paper concludes by discussing theoretical and practical implications of our findings.