ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we present the results of our research on the project management practices and the role of IS in the management of projects in companies competing at national and European Union (EU) funded calls for project proposals or tenders in Slovenia. In the first, theoretical part of this chapter, we present a selection of related previous research, introduce project management, the issues of information systems (IS) research and present STS (Science, Technology & Society), a field of social science researching the interplay between technology and society. The knowledge of STS theories and the conflict between technological determinism and social design of technology facilitates our understanding of dilemmas faced by organizations in the development and selection of suitable information technology. In the second, empirical part of the chapter, we present the research case and examine the model of project development and management and the IS support of this function in companies that are successful at publicly funded calls for research and development projects. The research case involves a sample of Slovenian organizations examined using both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. Presented research results offer an insight into the interplay of technology development and organization of work, with focus on project management practices in organizations competing at national and EU funded calls for project proposals, mode of IS support for project management, and employees’ attitude toward IS for project management. Furthermore, we attempt to identify the attributes of organizations that are successfully competing for national and EU funds. In conclusion, we present several recommendations for the selection of both IS and methodologies for project planning and management.
