Using multi-case approaches in project management research: The megaproject experience

This chapter discusses the usefulness of a multi-case approach in PM research. It highlights the benefits multi-case research can bring in terms of extendibility and more robust theory. It presents popular approaches to multi-case research and focuses on the role of inductive and deductive case analysis within these processes. It raises some of the pragmatic issues, especially the resource needs, which researchers can encounter when adopting this type of approach. It concludes by presenting a case of its own, the MEGAPROJECT research investigation. This exemplifies the chapter's learning and allows the reader to compare the issues found in this case with his or her own experience

Eliminating modern slavery from projects

Modern slavery involves the recruitment, movement, harbouring or receiving of people through any means for the purpose of exploitation. It is an extensive problem and one that causes immense human suffering. International Labour Organization figures suggest that there are 24 million victims of modern slavery or forced labour around the world at any one time, with a substantial proportion of these working on project-related activities. Modern slavery causes reputational risk to organisations from the perspective of customers and investors. In the UK, it is now subject to specific legislation. The damage and costs of legal action and compensation to victims of modern slavery can be crippling. Projects are particularly susceptible to modern slavery as they have complex flows of materials and labour that need to be constantly reinvented for each unique project context. The Association of Project Management sponsored a research investigation involving the University of Warwick, the University of Leeds and University College London to understand how project practices need to change to eliminate modern slavery. In order to answer this question, the research team undertook a Delphi exercise with experts representing project practitioners (eg. from organisations such as HS2 and Sir Robert McAlpine), NGOs (eg. The Bingham Centre and The Institute for Human Rights and Business) and professional membership organisations (eg. The International Association for Cost and Contract Management and the Royal Institute of British Architects), as well as academic researchers and individual experts. The investigation finds that the key to eliminating modern slavery is to give individuals working on projects the competence and confidence to spot modern slavery and to know what to do when this occurs. This requires support at an organisational, sectoral and legislative level. This report details this support