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Value Co-Creation in Sustainable Project Society

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Social Ecology and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 July 2024 | Viewed by 17001

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Vladimir Obradović

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Guest Editor

Department for Interdisciplinary Research in Management, Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: project management; sustainable project management

Prof. Dr. Ronggui Ding

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Guest Editor

School of Management, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
Interests: project governance; joint innovation projects

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Globalisation, technology boosting, climate change, income and wealth inequality, population growth, and medical crises are characteristics of the modern world. Both for-profit and non-profit organisations face numerous challenges to reinvent new models to create value.

The traditional management approach that focuses on value for shareholders only seems inadequate for today's world. Organisations cannot create sustainable strategies focusing on one group of interested parties. Customers, suppliers, employees, local community, and other groups should be involved both in value creation and sharing. Furthermore, management processes and functions should be re-examined in order to maximise their role and contribution in value creation.

On the other hand, societies are getting more and more projectified. Modern economies are characterized with a growing share of gross domestic product and resources allocated to projects in all industries. Furthermore, other activities in our societies and lives have become project organized.

Most business organizations, public institutions and non-governmental organizations use projects either to bring innovations or to network across industry, country or internationally or even completely based their activities on projects. Therefore, the sustainability of this orientation and projects are strategically important. If we consider technology development and the fact that market, knowledge and ideas are limitless, there is a growing relevance of a value created in this project society.

Having that said, the idea of this Special Issue is to examine how value for various stakeholders is being created in a projectified society while focusing on sustainability, while striving to deploy developed theories, concepts, methodologies, and best practices to reflect on value co-creation, project network and management in the project society. Theoretical contributions accompanied with empirical research like surveys, case studies, and experiments are welcome for submission.

Keywords

project value
society
co-creation

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 938 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Sustainability of Reskilling Projects Based on Employees’ Readiness for a Career Shift: Pursuing Sustainable Careers by Transitioning into IT Professions

by Vladimir Obradović, Ivana Kovačević, Ivana Kužet and Mateja Manojlović

Sustainability 2024, 16(2), 709; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020709 - 13 Jan 2024

Viewed by 843

Abstract

Today’s organizations are highly responsive to external changes, which they also demand from their employees. All employees need competencies to respond to Industry 4.0, the green business economy, and post-COVID-19 work circumstances and to manage sustainable careers. One way of doing so is to take active part in reskilling projects and be ready for a career shift, which we believe can be foreseen in people’s devotion to sustainable careers and can ensure the sustainability of the whole reskilling project. With the presumption that the concept of sustainable careers can be captured in terms of the concept of readiness for a career shift, this study aims to explore the potential of the scale of readiness for career shifts to predict participants’ success in reskilling projects (in the context of IT professions). The research was conducted on 336 candidates who applied for Java and PHP programming positions and had no previous knowledge or experience in the field. The results show that the scale of readiness for career shifts has acceptable metric characteristics, and canonical discriminant analysis confirmed that the overall score can be used to predict outcomes in the reskilling project, while predictions based on single indicators were rather ambiguous. Therefore, the scale can be used as a tool in the process of selecting reskilling candidates (at least in professional transitions in the domain of IT), but further research on the topic might shed more light on the concept. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Value Co-Creation in Sustainable Project Society)

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17 pages, 329 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Youth Participation for Sustainable Value Creation: The Role and Prioritization of SDGs

by Tatjana Borojević, Nataša Petrović, Jelena Andreja Radaković, Hajdana Glomazić, Milan Radojičić, Nemanja Milenković, Damjan Maletič and Matjaž Maletič

Sustainability 2023, 15(23), 16456; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152316456 - 30 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1373

Abstract

Young people play a pivotal role in instigating and driving significant changes. The impact of individuals’ involvement in environmental conservation, community development, and social change initiatives for sustainable value creation is of considerable importance in the pursuit of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The objective of this study is to examine the contribution of youth engagement in the creation of sustainable value by analyzing their comprehension and prioritization of the 17 SDGs, with the goal of achieving sustainable development and sustainability. The researchers conducted a study on a sample of 1085 individuals between the ages of 14 and 30, who were selected from three distinct countries within the Western Balkan region—the Republic of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Republic of Northern Macedonia. The data were analyzed using factor analysis in conjunction with descriptive and inferential statistics. The survey findings indicate that poverty, hunger, and access to adequate healthcare are the primary SDGs and societal challenges confronting the youth in these nations. Furthermore, it emphasizes the significance of both formal and informal education among youth as a catalyst for societal transformation for sustainable value creation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Value Co-Creation in Sustainable Project Society)

24 pages, 6068 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Digitization on the Formation of a New Model for Geospatial Data

by Marina Jovanovic-Milenkovic and Filip Petrovic

Sustainability 2023, 15(22), 16009; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152216009 - 16 Nov 2023

Viewed by 696

Abstract

The introduction of digitization has changed all spheres of business on a global level, including geospatial data. The general goal of the paper includes the formation of a new model of geospatial data management. The authors propose the formation of an eSpace model that includes the ePlan system. In order to achieve the goal of the paper, the authors conducted a survey in which representatives of local self-governments and holders of public authority participated through a structured online survey. A pilot study for the formation of a geospatial data model is an overview of spatial and urban planning. The focus is on looking at the real state of spatial and urban planning documents and the possibility of establishing a central database of spatial planning documents in digital format and its further distribution through a single system. In this way, easy access to digital plan data expands the community of users and enables communication with different groups of stakeholders. The introduction of the described model affects the further development of society as a whole. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Value Co-Creation in Sustainable Project Society)

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21 pages, 6104 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Evaluation of Project Governance in Collaborative Innovation Projects: A Case of Industry Technology Research Institute

by Zhixue Liu and Ronggui Ding

Sustainability 2023, 15(16), 12493; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612493 - 17 Aug 2023

Viewed by 936

Abstract

Collaborative innovation projects (CIPs) are a typical type of inter-organizational collaboration project to deliver innovative results, in which diverse and dynamic collaborative relationships exist among stakeholders. The project’s success depends on appropriate governance mechanisms to coordinate the relationship between stakeholders. Contractual governance and relational governance both play an important role in successful project delivery. Existing research on the static evaluation method of project governance has obvious contradictions with the dynamic characteristics of stakeholder collaboration relationships during the innovation process. In response, this study proposes a dynamic evaluation method of CIP governance that uses stakeholder networks as the evaluation object, thus filling in gaps in the literature on CIP governance and contributing to the development of governance theory. A project of the Industry Technology Research Institute (ITRI) was chosen as a case study to evaluate the effectiveness of the procedure. The results show that contractual governance and relational governance both have a strong impact on stakeholder collaboration in the whole stage of CIPs. The governance effect is determined by the changeable contractual and relational governance structure, not just the stakeholder’s power of the general understanding. The findings have implications for the governance of CIPs and mainstream project governance research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Value Co-Creation in Sustainable Project Society)

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20 pages, 11504 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Early Highway Construction Cost Estimation: Selection of Key Cost Drivers

by Nevena Simić, Nenad Ivanišević, Đorđe Nedeljković, Aleksandar Senić, Zoran Stojadinović and Marija Ivanović

Sustainability 2023, 15(6), 5584; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065584 - 22 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2693

Abstract

Cost estimates in the early stages of project development are essential for making the right decisions, but they are a huge challenge and risk for owners and potential contractors due to limited information about the characteristics of a future highway project. Whereas previous studies were mainly focused on achieving the highest possible estimation accuracy, this paper aims to propose cost-estimation models that can provide satisfactory accuracy with the least possible effort and to compare the perspectives of owners and contractors as the key stakeholders on projects. To determine cost drivers (CDs) that have a high influence on highway-construction costs and require low effort for their establishment, a questionnaire survey was conducted. Based on the key stakeholders’ perceptions and collected data set, cost-estimation models were developed using multiple-regression analysis, artificial neural networks, and XGBoost. The results show that reasonable cost-estimation accuracy can be achieved with relatively low effort for three CDs for the owners’ perspective and five CDs for the contractors’ perspective. Additional inclusion of input CDs in models does not necessarily imply an increase in accuracy. Also, the questionnaire results show that owners are more concerned about environmental issues, whereas contractors are more concerned about the possible changes in resource prices (especially after recent high increases caused by COVID-19 and the Russia–Ukraine war). These findings can help owners and potential contractors in intelligent decision-making in the early stages of future highway-construction projects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Value Co-Creation in Sustainable Project Society)

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16 pages, 1327 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mediated Effect of Entrepreneurial Education on Students’ Intention to Engage in Social Entrepreneurial Projects

by Zoran Rakicevic, Katarina Njegic, Maja Cogoljevic and Jovana Rakicevic

Sustainability 2023, 15(5), 4606; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054606 - 04 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1946

Abstract

Social enterprises are gaining great importance, since they can efficiently solve social problems and help reduce unemployment. Thus, it is important to discover how social entrepreneurial intention (SEI) can be enhanced. In this paper, a model of the impact of entrepreneurial education (EE) on SEI is formulated by relying on the human capital theory. It is hypothesized that EE acts on SEI directly as well as indirectly by increasing the perceived importance of social entrepreneurship (PISE). The model was evaluated on a sample of 400 students from the Republic of Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The analysis was conducted using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). In addition, a multigroup analysis was conducted in order to establish differences in the proposed relationship between countries. The obtained results indicate a positive impact of EE on SEI and a positive impact of PISE on SEI in both observed countries. The influence of EE on PISE, as well as the indirect effect of EE on SEI through PISE, was confirmed in Serbia, but not in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The results of this paper justify further government investment in the development of educational programs. This paper also gives recommendations to universities, educators, and researchers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Value Co-Creation in Sustainable Project Society)

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18 pages, 751 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determinants of Young Adult Consumers’ Environmentally and Socially Responsible Apparel Consumption

by Tamara Vlastelica, Milica Kostić-Stanković, Tamara Rajić, Jelena Krstić and Tijana Obradović

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1057; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021057 - 06 Jan 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2847

Abstract

Social and environmental responsibility of apparel sector has been drawing rising attention of policymakers and researchers in recent years. One possible solution to curb the detrimental effects caused by the clothing industry is to invoke more responsible demand of its heavy users, such as young clothing customers. This study aims to examine a model of the determinants of environmentally and socially responsible clothing consumption of young adult customers in a developing economy. The study has been performed on a convenience sample of 439 respondents in Serbia, by means of structured online survey. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), followed by two-step structural equation modeling procedure (SEM)—implying an examination of a measurement model, followed by testing of structural relationships—has been performed within data analysis. Results of the study indicate green consumption values as the most influential determinant of responsible apparel consumption, followed by conscious consumption and receptivity to green communication. Findings of the study contribute to the body of knowledge on responsible consumption and provide directions for practitioners and policymakers. Study limitations are noted and future research directions are provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Value Co-Creation in Sustainable Project Society)

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25 pages, 4980 KiB

Open AccessArticle

COVID-19 Struggle and Post-COVID-19 Recovery: Exploring the Governance, Success, and Digital Transition in Construction Projects in Serbia

by Zorana Petojević, Milica Savić, Aleksandra Parezanović and Ana Nadaždi

Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 674; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010674 - 30 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1905

Abstract

Construction, one of the largest global economic sectors, has been severely challenged by the economic uncertainties brought on by COVID-19. Since 2020, pandemic-related disruptions and remedial measures have made its historically low performance even more difficult. As a result, recent research mainly addressed these negative consequences on the construction sector. In contrast, this paper aims to identify mitigation strategies recognised as good practices on construction projects in Serbia, in addition to detecting disruptions and quantifying their effects on cost and time overruns. A particular emphasis is given to how the pandemic hastened digital transition and encouraged the adoption of modern project management practices. The research was carried out through a survey of two rounds, conducted one year apart, to obtain an in-depth overview. The findings indicated that, although it had an impact on construction projects, the pandemic was not particularly harmful, because of widely used remedial measures and modern project management techniques. However, the pandemic did not modernise project implementation substantially nor significantly increase the use of cutting-edge digital technologies. Nevertheless, it encouraged project managers to think about introducing new approaches in project management, where digitisation is the new normal. The research findings may indicate to academia and practitioners what strategies may assure a project’s implementation even in enormously changed conditions, such as during a pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Value Co-Creation in Sustainable Project Society)

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23 pages, 3102 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Detection and In-Depth Analysis of Causes of Delay in Construction Projects: Synergy between Machine Learning and Expert Knowledge

by Marija Z. Ivanović, Đorđe Nedeljković, Zoran Stojadinović, Dejan Marinković, Nenad Ivanišević and Nevena Simić

Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 14927; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142214927 - 11 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1824

Abstract

Due to numerous reasons, construction projects often fail to achieve the planned duration. Detecting causes of delays (CoD) is the first step in eliminating or mitigating potential delays in future projects. The goal of research is unbiased CoD detection at a single project level, with the ultimate goal to discover the root causes of delay. The existing approach is based on expert knowledge which is used to create CoD lists for projects in general or groups of similar projects. When applied to a single project, it is burdened with bias, as shown on a case project returning low Spearman Rank correlation values. This research introduces a Delay Root causes Extraction and Analysis Model—DREAM. The proposed model combines expert knowledge, machine learning techniques, and Minutes of Meetings (MoM) as an unutilized extensive source of information. In the first phase, DREAM outputs a CoD list based on occurring frequency in MoM with satisfactory recall values, significantly reducing expert-induced subjectivism. In the second phase, enabled by MoM dates, DREAM adds another dimension to delay analysis—temporal CoD distribution. By analyzing corresponding informative charts, experts can understand the nature of delays and discover the root CoD, allowing intelligent decision making on future projects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Value Co-Creation in Sustainable Project Society)

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