Full Text Available
Note: Clicking the button above will open the full text document at the original institutional repository in a new window.
The impact of covid-19-driven digital transformation on project management in South Africa
The purpose of this exploratory study was to contribute to the existing knowledge base of digital transformation within the domain of project management. This was achieved through investigating the impact of COVID-19-driven digital transformation on project management practices and processes within...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | Eng |
| Published: |
Department of Construction Economics and Management
2024
|
| Subjects: | |
| Tags: |
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1867613201008427008 |
|---|---|
| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Mokgotho, Tshegofatso |
| author2 | Ontong, Krystle |
| author_browse | Mokgotho, Tshegofatso Ontong, Krystle |
| author_facet | Ontong, Krystle Mokgotho, Tshegofatso |
| author_sort | Mokgotho, Tshegofatso |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | The purpose of this exploratory study was to contribute to the existing knowledge base of digital transformation within the domain of project management. This was achieved through investigating the impact of COVID-19-driven digital transformation on project management practices and processes within project-based organisations in South Africa. The research was based on an interpretivist paradigm using a qualitative research approach and interview method to collect data from the project leaders in various companies based in South Africa. A comprehensive review of the impact of the digital transformation driven by the COVID19 pandemic on project management practices and processes was conducted. This was followed by a thematic analysis prescribed by (Braun & Clarke, 2006; Creswell & Creswell, 2018) and a presentation of themes that emerged from the analysis. The empirical findings were discussed in relation to existing literature to develop a deeper understanding of the data. The findings demonstrated that the project leaders understand the notion of digital transformation and view it as the adoption of digital technologies into business domains and their impact on various elements of the business and work practices. Moreover, they view the COVID-19 pandemic as an accelerator towards the adoption of digital technologies. The accelerated digital shift impacted project management in many ways and some of the key aspects that were identified include the emergence of remote work, effective project team communication and collaboration, enhanced access and information sharing, the relevant project manager skills in the digital era and the project approaches adopted for project delivery. The rapid digital transformation provides advantages for project management teams, but it also poses potential challenges that require proactive planning. Some of the opportunities associated with the adoption of digital technologies identified include enhanced project team performance, potential cost and time efficiency, improved accessibility to project information, increased customer satisfaction, fostered remote work capabilities, enhanced communication, and collaboration. The findings of the study have significant implications for project leaders and organisations in South Africa. Understanding the impact of digital transformation on project management practices can assist leaders in adapting their strategies and processes to maximise the benefits and overcome the challenges associated with digital technology adoption. Organisations can utilise the presented opportunities to enhance innovation, accelerate decision-making, optimise business processes, increase productivity, improve communication, and cultivate a favourable organisational culture. This will enable them to maintain a competitive advantage in the dynamic digital economy. However, it is also crucial to address challenges such as a lack of competencies, trust issues, and cybersecurity concerns to ensure successful digital transformation. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/40398 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | Eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:32:21.936Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2024 |
| publishDateRange | 2024 |
| publishDateSort | 2024 |
| publisher | Department of Construction Economics and Management |
| publisherStr | Department of Construction Economics and Management |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/40398 The impact of covid-19-driven digital transformation on project management in South Africa Mokgotho, Tshegofatso Ontong, Krystle Project Management The purpose of this exploratory study was to contribute to the existing knowledge base of digital transformation within the domain of project management. This was achieved through investigating the impact of COVID-19-driven digital transformation on project management practices and processes within project-based organisations in South Africa. The research was based on an interpretivist paradigm using a qualitative research approach and interview method to collect data from the project leaders in various companies based in South Africa. A comprehensive review of the impact of the digital transformation driven by the COVID19 pandemic on project management practices and processes was conducted. This was followed by a thematic analysis prescribed by (Braun & Clarke, 2006; Creswell & Creswell, 2018) and a presentation of themes that emerged from the analysis. The empirical findings were discussed in relation to existing literature to develop a deeper understanding of the data. The findings demonstrated that the project leaders understand the notion of digital transformation and view it as the adoption of digital technologies into business domains and their impact on various elements of the business and work practices. Moreover, they view the COVID-19 pandemic as an accelerator towards the adoption of digital technologies. The accelerated digital shift impacted project management in many ways and some of the key aspects that were identified include the emergence of remote work, effective project team communication and collaboration, enhanced access and information sharing, the relevant project manager skills in the digital era and the project approaches adopted for project delivery. The rapid digital transformation provides advantages for project management teams, but it also poses potential challenges that require proactive planning. Some of the opportunities associated with the adoption of digital technologies identified include enhanced project team performance, potential cost and time efficiency, improved accessibility to project information, increased customer satisfaction, fostered remote work capabilities, enhanced communication, and collaboration. The findings of the study have significant implications for project leaders and organisations in South Africa. Understanding the impact of digital transformation on project management practices can assist leaders in adapting their strategies and processes to maximise the benefits and overcome the challenges associated with digital technology adoption. Organisations can utilise the presented opportunities to enhance innovation, accelerate decision-making, optimise business processes, increase productivity, improve communication, and cultivate a favourable organisational culture. This will enable them to maintain a competitive advantage in the dynamic digital economy. However, it is also crucial to address challenges such as a lack of competencies, trust issues, and cybersecurity concerns to ensure successful digital transformation. 2024-07-05T13:05:15Z 2024-07-05T13:05:15Z 2024 2024-07-05T11:01:43Z Thesis / Dissertation Masters MSc http://hdl.handle.net/11427/40398 Eng application/pdf Department of Construction Economics and Management Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment |
| spellingShingle | Project Management Mokgotho, Tshegofatso The impact of covid-19-driven digital transformation on project management in South Africa |
| thesis_degree_str | Master's |
| title | The impact of covid-19-driven digital transformation on project management in South Africa |
| title_full | The impact of covid-19-driven digital transformation on project management in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | The impact of covid-19-driven digital transformation on project management in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of covid-19-driven digital transformation on project management in South Africa |
| title_short | The impact of covid-19-driven digital transformation on project management in South Africa |
| title_sort | impact of covid 19 driven digital transformation on project management in south africa |
| topic | Project Management |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/40398 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mokgothotshegofatso theimpactofcovid19drivendigitaltransformationonprojectmanagementinsouthafrica AT mokgothotshegofatso impactofcovid19drivendigitaltransformationonprojectmanagementinsouthafrica |