Owner capabilities in the project society : the setting of project-supported organisations

Building on extant research on domains of project organising, the aim of this study is to explore the application of the concept of owner capabilities to the wider setting of the project society. To this end, the study focuses on the context of project-supported organisations (PSOs) that operate through a continuous provision of goods and services and only occasionally undertake projects to expand or maintain its business infrastructure. We select the setting of fast-moving consumer goods, where projects have the role of capacity expansion or extension of operational capability. Engaging with 18 informants from a selection of organisations on the supply and demand side in the provision of capital projects in the selected setting, the study provides further insight into the nature and role of strategic, commercial and governance owner capabilities in project-supported organisations. Building on the findings, we derive key recommendations for project leadership and we conclude by calling for future research to understand the role of project owners and their capabilities in the various contextual settings of the project society.