The Role of the Production/Project Manager; Exploring the Relationship between Identity and Work

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

No words can express my appreciation and gratitude to my research advisor _______ through the course of this research, Professor _____has taught me numerous values that extend well beyond the realm of _________ (Your Subject Name). His emphasis on dedication to work and his valuable and practical insights of life are some of the major highlights of my education at The University _________. To Professor _____, I say with great respect, thank you very much.

It is a great honour for me to have Professor _______ on my dissertation committee. His insightful suggestions and comments are a major asset to this research. I learned so much from Professor ______, and I will always remember him as a truly superb teacher. To Professor _____, I am greatly indebted.

I would like to thank Professor ______ for his contribution to this research. Professor _____ has provided me with essential input and guidance as an outside member of my committee. His remarks and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I would like to thank _____________ for the support they had provided me throughout the research project.

I would like to thank _____________ for their support and help in this research.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for the academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

Project Management3

Project Managers'5

Purpose of the Study6

Problem Statement6

Aims and Objectives7

Theoretical Framework7

Research Questions9

Nature of the Study9

Hypotheses10

LITERATURE REVIEW11

Concept of Identity11

Personal Identity11

Organizational Identity13

Work, Identity and Project Managers14

Project Manager role in exploring the relationship: Identity and Work15

Project Manager Approaches to Determine the relationship16

Structural Functionalism16

Conflict and symbolic interactions18

Relationship between Identity and Work20

METHODOLOGY22

Research Design22

Instrument23

Questionnaire Responses23

Data Collection:24

Likert Scale24

Procedure25

Confidentiality26

CONCLUSION27

REFERENCES29

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

“The world is rapidly changing … and what served us well in the past is only marginally pertinent today” (Frame, 2002, p. 16). Today change is the new norm and competition drives change. Godin (2002) says, “when there is competition, there is evolution” (p. 32) and as long as our world is moving, an evolving business will succeed. To be successful in today's competitive environment, individuals must operate as competently as possible in order to deliver goods and services faster, cheaper, and better than their competitors (Frame, 1999). Working faster and better requires workplace competencies. These competencies can be linked back many decades; for example, Fredrick W. Taylor developed the concept of scientific management in the early 20th century (1911).

Taylor studied the time it took each worker to accomplish steps in a daily production line and arranged the machines to match those steps. Taylor was a pioneer in separating work activities into components that were later recognized as work competencies.

These work competencies are recognized in project management initiatives in today's business as an essential process to deliver products on time (Arena, 2002, ...