The impact of the new technology on project management with migrants as the external stakeholder during the pandemic of SARS COVID-19

Abstract

The impact of the new technology on project management with migrants as the external stakeholder during the pandemic of SARS COVID-19

Anna Drabina^a, Sylwia Krzyżek-Liburska^b[1]*

Cracow University of Economics, 27 Rakowicka St., 31-510 Krakow, Poland^a

Cracow University of Economics, 27 Rakowicka St., 31-510 Krakow, Poland^b

Abstract (250-300 words)

Purpose of the article

The objective of this research is to examine the helpfulness of new IT tool which are used to project management.  IT tools have been an important part of project management for a long time but after the pandemic time became an absolute necessity. The authors of this research are going to examine whether project managers dealing with big international projects based on soft skills with the necessity of quick communication with internal and external stakeholders are convinced to work with a new tool and find it helpful.

Methodology/methods

As a research sample, four consortiums of Interreg Central Europe have been chosen. Each consortium consists of 10 to 12 participant institutions, among them institutions of higher educations, NGO’s and municipalities. The main objective of all chosen projects is to support groups of migrants and refugees from program countries. For the purpose of the research, the survey was designed and delivered to all institutions and project managers involved in four chosen projects.

Scientific aim

The aim of the paper is to identify the problems regarding project management and risk management before and during the pandemic of SARS COVID-19 within Interreg Central Europe programs considering internal and external stakeholders of the four chosen projects.

Findings

The study showed that thanks to the use of new IT tools, it was possible to maintain and improve communication in international project teams during the pandemic. The greatest risk was related to communication with external project stakeholders. The main threat was the digital exclusion of the studied target group.

Conclusions (limits, implications etc)  

In the authors’ opinion, the results confirm the purposefulness of using and developing the new IT tools despite problems with reaching external stakeholders. In the next step, the research will focus more on the external stakeholders' problems with access to digital technologies, especially IT tools themselves.

Keywords: (5-10 words) project management, IT tools, risk management, digital technologies, team communication, international research projects, digital exclusion

JEL Classification:  M15, M21

* Corresponding author. Tel.: 48 604 998 530

E-mail address: drabinaa@uek.krakow.pl