Impact of Innovation and Project Control on Sustainable Project Success: Examining the Mediating Role of Project Governance in Pakistan’s Software Development Sector

Abstract

In modern project setting especially in the software development industry, organizations are progressively relying on innovation as well as on formal Project Control processes as a means of attaining sustainable project success. Whereas innovation facilitates flexibility, technological progress, and innovative problem solving, Project Control mechanisms uphold discipline, accountability and focus on project goals. Nevertheless, it is essential to strike the balance between these two dimensions, which is a serious issue of project managers. Project governance, in this situation, is turning out to be a key factor in the combination of innovative practices with the formal System of the Project Control to provide viability of the project in the long run. This research proposes the effects of innovation and Project Control on sustainable project success as a mediating variable through project governance. The study concentrates on software development firms that are based in Pakistan. The quantitative research design was adopted, and primary data were gathered using a structured questionnaire on the basis of a five-point Likert scale. Project managers, team members and stakeholders gave 300 valid responses.

The data were analysed through Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) in STATA 18. The results demonstrate that the positive influence of innovation and Project Control is significant in terms of sustainable project success. Moreover, innovation, control, and sustainable project success are closely connected and mediated by project governance. The findings indicate that the likelihood of successful outcomes of projects- sustainability is greater in those organizations that successfully align innovation abilities and established governance and Project Control systems.

The research will add value to the existing literature on project management due to the empirical evidence presented in the work within the context of the developing economy and practical guidance to the project management community aiming to optimize the performance of long-term projects in terms of performance through balanced management practices.

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