Boundary activities and readiness for ... - Projekti-Instituutti

Introduction
1. Introduction
This chapter provides an introduction to the topic of the dissertation. The
theoretical background for the study is discussed, after which the focus of
the study and the initial research question are presented. The personal
motivation for the study is also discussed. Finally, the structure of the
dissertation is described.
1.1 Background
Contemporary organizations are characterized by change. Organizational
change takes place with increasing frequency and magnitude, and various
kinds of change projects are encountered both in the private and the public
sector. While small-scale changes occur constantly, many organizations
choose to or are forced to go through large and significant changes. As
single projects and traditional project management approaches may not
measure up to large-scale transformations, complex multi-project change
programs have become increasingly common. To give a few examples, such
change programs may aim at renewing the organizational governance
model or infrastructure, making organizations more customer-oriented,
changing the way products and services are produced, establishing new
lines of business, or responding to the turbulent economic conditions
through organization-wide cost-cutting initiatives. A common feature
across the different types of change programs is that they tend to represent
a unique and significant challenge for the organization. The future wellbeing,
competitiveness and even survival of the organization may depend
on the success of such a program.
To respond to the needs of contemporary organizations, project
management research has expanded during the past 15 years from the
management of single projects to managing programs that consist of
multiple, interrelated projects that together aim at significant change and
renewal (e.g. Artto, Martinsuo, Gemünden, & Murtoaro, 2009; Dietrich,
2007; Nieminen & Lehtonen, 2008; Pellegrinelli, 1997, 2002; Thiry, 2002;
2004a, 2004b). Compared to single projects, programs are longer in
duration, more complex, involve higher levels of uncertainty, and also
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