Consideration of Sustainability in Projects: A Cross-Sectional Quantitative Analysis

José Magano, Gilbert Silvius, Teresa Nogueira () and Farzad Hamed
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José Magano: Research Center in Business and Economics (CICEE), Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, Rua Sta. Marta 47, 5.º Andar, 1150-293 Lisboa, Portugal
Gilbert Silvius: Research Centre, Apeldoorn Campus, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, Brinklaan 268, 7311 JD Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
Teresa Nogueira: School of Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Porto (P. Porto), 4249-015 Porto, Portugal
Farzad Hamed: Research Centre, Apeldoorn Campus, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, Brinklaan 268, 7311 JD Apeldoorn, The Netherlands

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 3, 1-18

Abstract: The consideration of sustainability in projects is one of the most critical global trends in project management today, as projects are instrumental in the sustainable development of organisations and society. In the growing literature on this topic, most studies take a qualitative approach, often based on single case studies, and quantitative studies are underrepresented. To address these limitations, this study aims to examine the extent to which different aspects and perspectives of sustainability are integrated into projects by reporting a quantitative analysis of the consideration of sustainability in 134 projects. The analysis used the Sustainable Project Management Maturity Model SPM3 to analyse the level at which sustainability was considered in the projects. The results show that, on average, sustainability is considered at a reactive level, with the desired levels of consideration on average one level higher (proactive). When considering the different triple bottom line perspectives, the economic perspective scores highest, followed by the social and environmental perspectives. The study also shows that building-related projects score higher on sustainability considerations than other project types, as do larger projects. Limitations of the study include its European focus, the relatively small sample size, and the fact that the data was collected in different locations over a four-year period, which raises the possibility of subjective differences in the evaluation of individual projects. Nevertheless, the study can be seen as a ‘wake-up call’ for project practitioners, who need to be more proactive in this regard if projects are to be the route to sustainability.

Keywords: sustainable project management; project management maturity; triple bottom line (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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