Understanding The Appropriation Of Project Management Norms: An Empirical Study In I.T. Projects

This research uses an appropriation perspective to explore how project management norms are concretely used in context. We have drawn on AST (Adaptive Structuration Theory) to study the appropriation of norms by I.T project managers, using three case studies. Direct appropriation moves have been observed from each project manager, as well as faithfulness to the spirit of PM norms. However a thorough analysis of practices reveals that project managers have performed different adaptation moves: They use PM norms with different purposes, and display different attitudes towards norms. These differences result in three different styles of project management. The research brings evidence that PM norms can be appropriated in very different ways. Agency appears to be a major issue in the appropriation process.