The initial conceptual model was developed from previous research conducted in private organisations. Subsequently, the findings of the case study (phase 1) gave preliminary understandings of the nature of PM resources and factors, evaluating project success in NGOs and helped to propose an updated conceptual framework for this study. Next, the phase-two quantitative study originated from the findings of qualitative study. It is essential when using empirical investigations to review the qualitative findings to generalise the best model. The findings regarding the nature of PM resources were refined through EFA as it identified the best dimensions of PM resources (Thompson, 2004). Then, CFA and SEM were used to test and identify the best model explaining the relationships between PM resources and project success.
Finally, both sets of findings (qualitative and quantitative) were compared to generate insights into the PM resources of NGOs (Creswell, 2003). The sequential exploratory methods helped the researcher to propose a model from the qualitative study and test and refine the model by using quantitative methods (Creswell, 2003). Therefore, the researcher would be able to generalise the findings to the selected population with statistical validity. The generated model will support the NGOs to understand PM resources and its association with project success. A Gantt chart (Appendix 1) shows the timeline of stage 1 and 2 research activities. Figure 3-4 presents an overview of the research implementation plan and connected research methods.
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Figure 3-4: Research implementation Plan and Connecting Research Methods
Phase 1
Propose Conceptual Model for Survey Study
Literature Review (Chapter 2)
Phase 1
Exploratory Case Study
(In-depth interviews, Semi-structured interviews, Archival data)
Identify PM Elements Identify PM Resources
Identify evaluation factors of Project Success Identify association between PM resources and
project success
Phase 2 Factor Analysis
(Identify and confirm the critical elements of PM resources & testing the model)
Phase 2
Structural Equation Modeling
(Identify a best Model to explain the relationship between PM Resources and Project Success)
Initial Conceptual Framework
Phase 2
Survey Instrument Development & Survey Study
(Pretesting, Pilot study and Final survey)
(Self-Administered Structured Questionnaire)
Compare Phases 1 & 2
Interpretation of holistic nature of PM resource and its association with project
success Exploratory Case Study and Conceptual Model Development (Chapter 4) Survey Instrument Development (Chapter 5) Quantitative Data Analysis (Chapter 6)
Data Analysis and Conclusion (Chapters 7 & 8)
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The chapter rationalised the mixed method approach adopted by the researcher as appropriate for this study. The mixed method supported the researcher, firstly, the inductive method to explore and understand the nature of PM resources in NGOs, identify associations between PM resources and project success and propose the conceptual model for the study. Next, a deductive method was employed to test the theory and validate the model developed in the inductive study and further justified how the selected advanced sophisticated techniques support refinement to a valid model for the study.
Further, the chapter explained, since the study is based on exploratory and mixed methods, in the first phase of the case study, how the researcher used multiple data collection techniques to increase the validity and credibility of the study. In the second phase, advanced multivariate techniques were applied to improve the validity and reliability and further, the findings can be generalised to similar types of organisation and country in similar contexts, such as post-conflict and post-disaster recovery. Further, it is highlighted that the SEM technique has been applied in this study which supports theory testing and theory development of PM resources and project success in the new context of NGOs.
The next chapter explains the exploratory case study results and discusses the findings with the support of the literature. Further, the findings support development of the understanding of PM resources and led to construct hypotheses and the conceptual model for the present study.
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CHAPTER FOUR
EXPLORATORY QUALITATIVE STUDY and CONCEPTUAL
MODEL DEVELOPMENT
4.1. Introduction
The previous chapter explained the study’s mixed method, sequential exploratory design in which phase one is a qualitative case study and phase two is a survey study. This chapter presents the exploratory case study results and findings and subsequently formulates the research hypotheses and develops the conceptual model. The purpose of the exploratory case study was to explore PM elements, PM resources and project success in NGOs. The findings of the case study were used to update the initial conceptual model, which was derived from the literature review.
As described in the case study protocols (section 3.5.1), four organisations were selected using a matching strategy of firms with similar missions but varying scopes of operation: national vs. international. The first pair of firms focuses on disaster relief while the second two focuses on poverty alleviation. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews in two stages. Firstly, the researcher conducted 20 semi-structured interviews to explore PM elements, resources and project success. These interviews were analysed and then, eight semi-structured interviews were conducted to confirm the themes identified earlier. Twenty- eight project staff members, seven from each organisation, were selected for interview. The interviews took place in 2012 and 2013.
The chapter is organised into 11 sections. Section 4.2 explains the initial thematic framework identified from the literature. Section 4.3 explains the implementation of case study interviews. Section 4.4 illustrates the explored elements of PM resources and project success from the exploratory case study. Section 4.5 categorises and classifies the elements detected. PM resources are classified into three levels: team, organisational and collaborative social PM resources, and Project success is classified into three levels: PM success, project success and NGO success. Subsequently, Section 4.6 illustrates the findings in a visual mapping diagram and critically discusses the case study findings using respondents’ quotations with
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the support of the literature review. Section 4.7 identifies and explains the associations between PM resources and project success from the exploratory study results. Subsequently, section 4.8 constructs hypotheses for the study. Section 4.9 presents the updated conceptual model from the findings of the case study and finally, section 4.10 summarises the key findings of the chapter.
Figure 4-1: Structure of Exploratory Case Study
Initial Thematic Framework
Updated Conceptual Framework
Implementation of Exploratory case study
(Pretesting, In-depth and Semi-structured interviews
and Archival data) Detecting Elements and
Dimensions: PM Resource and Project Success
Categorising and Classifying of PM Elements and Resources Identify the associations
between PM resource and Project success Constructing Hypotheses
for the study
Discussion of case study findings
Explore and understand the
nature of PM resource and its associations with project success Section 4.2 Section 4.10
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