Foucault’s governmentality and the issue of project collaboration

Book chapter (2023)

Authors

Stewart Clegg University of Technology Sydney
Johan Ninan Integral Design & Management - CEG
Research Group
Integral Design & Management (CEG) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2023 Stewart Clegg, Dr Johan Ninan
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781800880283.00020
Social media Project collaboration Governmentality Project governance Juukan Gorge Project culture
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Published Date

2023

Language

English

Reuse Rights

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Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Department

Materials- Mechanics- Management & Design

Research Group

Integral Design & Management

Abstract

The concept of governmentality has proven useful to analyse how the reflexive management of people within and without the project is conducted. In this chapter we explore the organizational theory of governmentality and its importance in project settings. First, we identify the specificity of project governance and relate it to the definition and discussion of governmentality by Michel Foucault. Following this, the use of governmentality within projects through project culture is discussed. Subsequently, the use of governmentality outside projects through social media is discussed. Finally, the chapter concludes by highlighting new directions for research with governmentality as the focal point, discussing the types of research questions that a concern with projects and governmentality raises and how addressing these might further develop project management as a field of enquiry.