Johan Packendorff

Complex, time-limited and unique tasks are managed in a project. The project work format has become increasingly central within all sectors of the national economy. Approximately a quarter of the global GDP is created within the framework for a project. This applies to our largest international companies, as well as to the public sector and academia. The consequences of the project format for managers and employees is particularly interesting in matters concerning the working environment, stress, personal development, leadership, power, and equality.

For the last 20 years, the research within projects has grown into an international research area of its own. The field borrows theoretical insights from contiguous fields such as organisational theory, leadership, critical management studies, gender, and entrepreneurship. The subject’s classical core, system theoretical methods for planning of projects has thus been extended towards understanding how projects are organised in practice, and what consequences this brings to companies, groups and individuals.

Johann Packendorff’s research involves the project format’s consequences and leadership processes. He is also active in contiguous fields. Examples of current research projects are results-based management of academia, as well as the leadership cultures and organisational changes within healthcare.