Unravelling governmentality in project ecologies

Journal Article (2023)
Author(s)

Stewart Clegg (University of Sydney)

Dr. ir. Johan Ninan (TU Delft - Integral Design & Management)

Research Group
Integral Design & Management
Copyright
© 2023 Stewart Clegg, Dr Johan Ninan
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plas.2023.100099
More Info
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Publication Year
2023
Language
English
Copyright
© 2023 Stewart Clegg, Dr Johan Ninan
Research Group
Integral Design & Management
Volume number
4
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Abstract

Under the rubric of project governance, governmentality has been defined as a general mode of governing people in projects, whether these projects are organized in an authoritarian, liberal, or neo-liberal mode in their approach to authority relations. We argue that governmentality is a specifically neo-liberal form of social integration, one that stresses the freedom of its subjects, and discuss how it extends governance beyond enforcing contracts and includes all stakeholders. Examples of governmentality in the modern era of projects are discussed as a proactive strategy conceptualized in five contexts in which the concept of governmentality, as governing through freedoms, has been applied in project ecologies. These include governance by contract, governance by alliancing, governance by influence, governance by co-optation, and governance by incorporation. The degree of governmentality in play increases through the sequence.