Work

Shaping Inclusion and Exclusion: Habitual Responses of Project Managers in Early Stakeholder Engagement

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study explores how project managers in contentious contexts, such as infrastructure projects, shape the inclusion and exclusion of nonmarket stakeholders in early stakeholder engagement. Adopting open strategy theory as a lens, we focus on forms of closure in managerial decision-making. We show that even well-intentioned managers rely on habitual responses—favoring representatives, joint commitment, technical expertise, and internal legitimacy—at the expense of broader inclusion. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analyses, we give meaning and significance to these patterns of exclusion and contribute to a more reflective and socially responsive approach to stakeholder engagement in the project front end.

Source: Project Management Journal

DOI: 10.1177/87569728261416375

Authors: Manon Danielle Baartmans, Tim Busscher, Stefan Verweij, Jos Arts

Institution: University of Groningen

Language: English

Topic: Construction Project Management and Performance

Subfield: Management Science and Operations Research

Field: Decision Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,900

Funder: Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek