Tristano Sainati. Photo: Private
The award celebrates nominees who have advanced the theory, knowledge, and practice of project management through an academic paper.
“Winning the Association of Project Management's (APM) Research Paper of the Year is an absolute thrill and honour. It's like being handed a golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, but instead of chocolate, it's recognition and validation of our hard work and dedication!” Tristano says.
Head of Department Thorvald Hærum extends his congratulations to Tristano.
“Congratulations to Tristano for winning the APM’s Paper of the Year Award 2024. This is a remarkable achievement that recognizes his significant contributions to project management theory and practice. We are proud of his hard work and dedication," he says.
Why are megaprojects terminated?
“Our paper explores why Infrastructure Megaprojects are sometimes halted during delivery or construction. Analyzing 30 unfinished megaprojects across various sectors, we identify six crucial determinants that contribute to the termination: socio-political, environmental, financial, regulatory, force majeure, and technological,” Tristano explains.
Their findings uncovered significant insights into why infrastructure megaprojects are sometimes halted during delivery or construction.
“We found that termination typically results from a combination of factors, characterized as a gradual process unfolding across various stages and exhibiting diverse patterns. The study found that the most common reasons for termination are socio-political, financial, and environmental,” he says. Adding “We have created a practical checklist to help stakeholders recognize key elements that could lead to termination of Infrastructure Megaprojects. This checklist serves as a tool for decision-makers, who can use it to manage risks, enhance project resilience, and ultimately improve the overall success rate of megaprojects.”
The judges commented that “The paper is well-executed and contributes to project management theory and practice. The insights provided can shape future research agendas and improve the management of megaprojects worldwide.”
Expresses Gratitude to Co-Authors and Supporters
Tristano would first and foremost thank his co-authors, Jose Rodrigo Juarez Cornelio and Giorgio Locatelli.
“I also want to extend my gratitude to the Association for Project Management for this prestigious award. Their support and recognition are invaluable to our work. I am grateful to BI Norwegian Business School, for providing me with the freedom and independence to pursue my research. The department of Leadership and Organizational Behaviour has always been supportive for me. Additionally, I want to mention the support provided by the Centre for Construction Industry at BI, who is fostering cross-departmental collaborations on topics such as sustainability and project management," Tristano says.
Read the full paper here.