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- Sustainability in Project Management PracticesPublication . Soares, Inês; Fernandes, Gabriela; Santos, José M.R.C.A.The intersection between sustainability and project management has received significant attention as organizations recognize the criticality of incorporating sustainability practices into their projects. However, incorporating sustainability considerations presents some challenges, requiring the development and adoption of methods, tools and techniques tailored to address sustainability at the project level. Against this backdrop, this study endeavors to develop an understanding of the effective incorporation of sustainability within projects through the micro-level perspective of practices. An online survey was developed based on a comprehensive literature review of which a total of 107 valid responses were collected and analyzed. The results show the most useful sustainable project management practices perceived by experienced project professionals, including ‘Sustainability team management’, ‘Lessons learned towards sustainability’ and ‘Sustainability risk register’, among others. However, a data analysis reveals a prevailing trend marked by the limited perceived usefulness of sustainability practices in the context of project management. Furthermore, through exploratory factor analysis, a clear classification of sustainable project management practices was identified, according to the specific phases of the common project management lifecycle: ‘Initiation and planning’, ‘Execution, monitoring, controlling and replanning’ and ‘Closure’. By providing a set of sustainable project management practices and identifying the underlying factors that elucidate the incorporation of sustainable project management practices across the project management lifecycle, this study extends a guiding hand to practitioners in pursuing successful sustainability integration in their projects. It vividly illustrates that sustainability can be readily incorporated into project-management processes, delivering sustainable products and/or services in a sustainable way, combining both the ‘sustainability of the project’ and ‘sustainability by the project’ perspectives.
- Polymer blends: the PC-PBT casePublication . Santos, José M.R.C.A.; Guthrie, James T.An example of commercially important binary polymer blends is that of PC–PBT composites. The current knowledge of the physical, mechanical and chemical properties of these blends is reviewed and updated in the light of interpretations based on Lewis acid–base intermolecular interactions, as quantified by inverse gas chromatography, carried out under infinite dilution conditions.
- A framework for the management of research and innovation projects: mission impossible?Publication . Santos, José M.R.C.A.; Martinez-Galán, Enrique; Varela, CarolinaThe shift from discipline-based research (“mode 1”) to interdisciplinary knowledge production involving industry or service partnerships and increased social accountability (“mode 2”) have led to deep changes in the organizational structure of research and innovation (R&I) ecosystems. In particular, public researchperforming organizations have been re-shaping their management and organizational structures towards a more market-oriented direction, with a strong executive control approach also known as ‘New managerialism’. Also, since the 1990s, R&I organizations have increasingly adopted collaborative research projects, seeking access to complementary knowledge and competencies, additional drive to innovate, and increasing funding opportunities (regional, national and supranational). In this type of environment, consortia of public, academic, and private agents that share a common research interest work across disciplinary, organizational, and national boundaries to achieve innovative results. Under “mode 2” R&I projects, managers must integrate individual and small-team research activities that demand high levels of creativity and innovation. However, funding bodies and institutions require clear work plans, perfectly defined and assigned responsibilities, and strict schedules, deliverables and milestones. This apparent contradiction calls for flexible and adaptable project management principles. In fact, “traditional” management strategies, such as pure “waterfall” methods tend to fail. Success or failure of contemporary R&I endeavours is, therefore, strongly linked to the project management practices adopted by institutions and teams along a collaborative and “open” context under which new knowledge and technologies are nowadays developed. The contextual complexity, uncertainty and creative nature of R&I does definitely not mean that no structure, no planning and no management is neither necessary nor possible. But it does mean that the way we organize and manage research projects should reflect and aim to accommodate this ambiguity and complexity. By presenting, assessing and discussing the case study of ValorNatural, a project funded by the Portuguese government under the country framework programme 2014-2020 of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), the authors propose a framework for the successful management of R&I projects. To this aim, the research methodology is based on action research, participatory observation and on the own experience of the authors. This framework should be seen as a practical tool for scientific projects managers. It seeks to provide a structured, comprehensive overview of key pillars that should underpin the development and implementation of project management to R&I endeavours. We conclude that (i) R&I projects substantially differ from “traditional” projects, (ii) R&I projects are characterized by high uncertainty, high contextual complexity, and high stakeholder heterogeneity, (iii) R&I projects are conditioned by the observed strong mismatch between the flexibility requested to researchers in the pre-award phase and the rigidity demanded by the funding agencies during the post-award phase, and (iv) adequate R&I project management helps avoid common pitfalls and improve project success. Learning Outcomes (max 50 words) - R&I projects substantially differ from “traditional” projects. - Key features: high uncertainty, high contextual complexity and high stakeholder heterogeneity. - R&I projects are conditioned by a mismatch between flexibility in the pre-award phase and rigidity during the post-award phase. - Adequate R&I project management helps avoid common pitfalls and improve success.
- Management of public–private R&D projects in Higher Education: key trends and issuesPublication . Santos, José M.R.C.A.Research and Development (R&D) project managers in Higher Education must deal with uncertainty, ambiguity, competition, accountability and different objectives for professors, scientists, firms, users and other stakeholders. Formal project management frameworks are commonly adapted to support this. However, the wide range of challenges related to R&D inhibits truly effective and efficient approaches. In this paper, the R&D project management literature is analysed, chief concepts are examined, and key areas to be considered by any management approach in Higher Education institutions are suggested. This will lead to more realistic management practices, focused on their added-value and on that of the particular project and not on the management framework/methodology per se. The particular case of collaborative private–public R&D projects funded by public funds is addressed in view of their increased importance as a key instrument for the implementation of public science policies.
- Effect of extended cooking and oxygen prebleaching on the surface energy of Eucalyptus globulus kraft pulpsPublication . Carvalho, Maria da Graça Videira Sousa; Ferreira, P.J.; Santos, José M.R.C.A.; Amaral, João; Figueiredo, Maria Margarida LopesThe aim of this work was to investigate the influence of introducing an oxygen prebleaching stage and of extending the cooking process on the surface and papermaking properties of elemental chlorine-free bleached kraft pulps produced with Portuguese Eucalyptus globulus. Inverse gas chromatography was used to evaluate the surface energy as well as the Lewis acid/base character of the pulps, taking as reference one pulp cooked and bleached under standard conditions. The dispersive component of the surface tension, y~, was found to be highest for the pulp prepared under standard conditions, lowest for the pulp prepared by extended cooking and intermediate for the oxygen-prebleached pulp. Although all pulps exhibited a dominant acidic character (K)Kb > 1 ), the oxygen stage was found to enhance this character due to the higher surface concentration of oxygen-containing functional groups. Furthermore, oxygen prebleaching led to the formation of bulkier handsheets and it increased the beating energy. The opposite behaviour was found for the pulp produced by increasing the H-factor to extend the cooking.
- Who are the professionals at the interface of science working at research funding, science policy making, and similar organisations?Publication . Santos, José M.R.C.A.; Varela, Carolina; Kerridge, SimonThe scientific endeavour involves not only those working in research performing organisations-but also those in science funding, policy making, and think tank organisations, among others. The workforce in all these entities is composed of researchers, policy decision makers, managers, administrators, technicians, and other supporting staff. Within this community, professionals working at the interface of science (PIoSs) can be defined as those working in the research management and administration (RMA) domain, including varied areas such as science strategy and policy support, research funding procurement, project management, facilities management, communication and dissemination, knowledge and technology transfer, valorisation and impact, and related areas. Researchers have been often studied, namely regarding their job satisfaction, entrepreneurial spirit, and migration patterns. However, the PIoS community has seldom been studied, with only a few reports existing, for example on their profile and roles. Specifically, the PIoS community working at non-research performing organisations has not been explicitly addressed in the literature. This paper reports on the results of an ongoing project aimed at studying the profiles, roles, and functions of PIoSs working at organisations such as research funders, policy makers, and think tanks. The corresponding specificities of these professionals are highlighted and their involvement in professional associations is addressed. It is argued that they are intrinsically part of the wider PIoS (often called RMA) profession and that their full engagement in this community would benefit these individuals and the research and innovation ecosystem at large.
- Characterisation of the surface lewis acid/base properties of the components of pigmented, impact-modified, pc/pbt blends by inverse gas chromatography – phase separation and phase preferencesPublication . Santos, José M.R.C.A.; Guthrie, James T.; Fagelman, K.Inverse gas chromatography was used to study the surface Lewis acid–base properties of the major components of pigmented, impact-modified, polycarbonate–poly(butylene terephthalate) blends. An investigation of the Lewis acid–base interactions in these polymeric systems has been carried out, based on the values determined for the surface Lewis acidity constant (K ), surface Lewis basicity constant (K ) and on the chemical and physical structure of the materials involved. This a b analysis provided the rationale for an interpretation of the phase separation and the phase preference that exist in these polymer blends, and of the consequences to their physical and mechanical properties.
- The R&D Canvas: a design thinking tool for the management of R&D projectsPublication . Santos, José M.R.C.A.; Brandão, Ana SofiaResearch and Development (R&D) projects are inherently ambitious, complex, uncertain, and risky. On the one hand, they increasingly involve diversified groups of people and entities that gather around common goals, with different objectives for each one. On the other hand, science and technology policies promoted and implemented by public entities are gaining momentum, translating into more R&D funding opportunities but also into more competition and accountability for the use of public funds. Research managers and administrators are, therefore, faced with growing challenges when coping with all these aspects and leading teams of scientists, companies, users, and other stakeholders towards successful projects. Traditional project management frameworks have been used and adapted to help the R&D project manager. However, the potential of design thinking principles and practices in this context has yet to achieve its full potential. This is quite surprising bearing in mind that both R&D projects and design thinking share a central characteristic: the key role of creativity and co-creation in assuring successful initiatives. In this paper, the rationale for a new tool for R&D management based on design thinking principles is presented. The relevant literature is reviewed, and the concepts that previous researchers have suggested are analyzed. The interplay between classical project management approaches and the creativity-driven nature of every R&D initiative is rationalized. The findings are used to develop a conceptual framework for a tool which can help research managers and administrators in facilitating the successful development of R&D initiatives. The usefulness of the R&D Canvas to the research management and administration profession is centered on its multi-purpose usability as an effective planning and communication tool that facilitates the incorporation of creativity and co-development practices in the highly heterogeneous contexts characteristic of contemporary R&D endeavors.
- Prioritizing stakeholders in collaborative research and innovation projects toward sustainabilityPublication . Santos, José M.R.C.A.; Fernandes, GabrielaStakeholder engagement in collaborative research and innovation projects poses significant challenges, particularly in complex, multistakeholder settings addressing sustainability concerns. This study proposes a novel method for stakeholder prioritization in such projects, combining the analytic network process (ANP) tool with the sustainability categories of the P5 standard for sustainability in project management. Its applicability and usefulness are demonstrated through a case study project, using the new stakeholder theory (NST) lens. The ANP-P5 method can assist project managers in effectively aligning stakeholder management with both sustainability and NST principles.
- Sustainability from Policy to Practice: Assessing the Impact of European Research and Innovation Frameworks on Circular BioeconomyPublication . Brandão, Ana Sofia; Santos, José M.R.C.A.Europe leads in shaping circular bioeconomy (CBE) policies for sustainability, relying on dynamic research and innovation (R&I) projects to propel the transition. Increased European R&I investment, fueled by commitment and a societal demand for measurable project returns, lacks a comprehensive evaluation. This study provides an in-depth analysis of the alignment of European-funded R&I projects with CBE policy priorities and assesses their societal impact. Rooted in an interpretive paradigm, it employs content analysis through semi-structured questionnaires to survey project leaders. The study evaluates benefits using the triple bottom line concept and interprets results guided by the theory of change. Our results suggest that European-funded R&I projects actively cultivate a supportive ecosystem for CBE adoption, as evidenced by emerging themes such as knowledge sharing, capacity building, and collaborative learning, aligning closely with investment priorities and funding schemes. The societal impact focuses on the short and medium term, emphasizing the social dimension by committing to empowering individuals, fostering collaboration, and enriching knowledge. Long-term benefits primarily contribute to the economic dimension, highlighting the potential for positive impacts like promoting business growth, innovation, improving market efficiency, and fostering sustainability. This study seeks to enhance the impact of R&I projects and promote a paradigm shift towards sustainability by providing context-specific recommendations.