Methodology of project management in the science and technology parks. Research findings

Abstract

Background: The research is focused on the project management process in the science and technology parks (STP) in Poland, including projects financed by public funds. STP have so far been described in the context of historical conditions of their activity, features, and efficiency of the services they provide, as well as in the macroeconomic aspect, particularly in connection with the assessment of the impact of public intervention by EU funds, rather than in the area of project management and their appropriate methodologies. A conceptual and functional analysis of STP as business supporting institutions was performed. The results of the author’s empirical research on identification of project management methodologies used in STP were presented. Three models concerning the methods of organizational evaluation in relation to the selection of the appropriate project management methodology were pointed out. Research results may prove useful for the practice of project management into the STP that are a part of the innovation system in regional development policy and to make them more professional.

Research purpose: The aim of this paper is to present the dominant methodology of project management in STP that belong to the innovation centres in Poland, as well as to clarify the impact of the following factors on changing the organizational management structure: organizational culture, teams, and types of projects undertaken. An important issue seems to be how and with what standardized tool, regardless of the individual features of the organization, is used to examine the project management methodologies and approaches implemented in the STP, affecting the effectiveness and efficiency of the whole organization.

Methods: The survey carried out on the basis of CAWI with CEOs of the STP as a research sample using the Agile Suitability Filter Tools specified in the PMBoK® Guide 2017 that examine the capability of organizations in their three aspects: culture (structure) – team (people) – projects. An analysis of reference materials and documentation was also applied, including comparative analysis of legal provisions relating to STP and project financing sources.

Conclusions: The agile project management approach is predominant in STP. However, the specificity of STP as a not-for-profit organization and the projects they implement specially determines their rules and sources of funding for projects. As such, it is postulated that the project management methodology should be adapted, both to the appropriate types of projects, internal capabilities of the organization as well as the conditions determined by its external environment, including the principles for implementation of projects co-financed by EU, national or regional bodies from public contribution as well.