“Digitalisation of and by projects: A sociotechnical perspective on the consequences for project work”

Call for Papers – Special Issue: “Digitalisation of and by projects: A sociotechnical perspective on the consequences for project work”

Journal: International Journal of Project Management
Publisher: Elsevier
Submission deadline: 30 September 2026

Overview

This special issue—published by Elsevier—seeks theoretically informed contributions that adopt a sociotechnical perspective to examine how digital technologies (e.g., AI, IoT, Big Data) are transforming the "world of projects." It invites papers that explore the dual processes of the "digitalisation of projects" (new workflows and processes) and "digitalisation by projects" (projects as engines for organizational and societal transformation).

Key Research Themes

• Sociotechnical Systems: Examining project work as an interdependent system where social processes and technical materiality are designed in tandem to optimize productivity and well-being.

• Transformation of Work: Exploring how digitalization alters project roles, hierarchies, team dynamics, communication patterns, and leadership styles, moving from traditional "project work" toward "smart work."

• Societal Impacts: Analyzing the potential for projects to facilitate broader societal shifts, including transitions to new industry regimes and the implications of AI-driven automation on the workforce and digital divide.

• Professional Competencies: Identifying the evolving digital skill sets, identity formation, and trust-building required for project professionals to thrive in a digitized environment.

Submission Details

• Abstract Submission: Authors are encouraged to submit an optional abstract (500-750 words) by 30 November 2025 to Dr. Eleni Papadonikolaki at e.papadonikolaki@tudelft.nl for feedback on suitability.

• Full Manuscript Submission: Final papers must be submitted via Editorial Manager by 30 September 2026.

• Methodological Rigor: The issue is technologically agnostic and welcomes diverse methodologies, including theoretical, philosophical, review, and empirical (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods) research, provided they maintain a strong sociotechnical orientation.

Guest Editors

• Eleni Papadonikolaki, Delft University of Technology (e.papadonikolaki@tudelft.nl)

• Tuomas Ahola, Tampere University

• Sujuan Zhang, The University of Sydney

• Sulafa Badi, The British University in Dubai

• V.K. Narayanan, Drexel University

Why This Issue Matters

Project management is undergoing a profound change, moving from routine task delivery to environments enabled by advanced digital technologies. This special issue—published by Elsevier—aims to provide a robust conceptual and empirical framework for understanding these shifts, ensuring that project management research recognizes the mutual constitution of technology and social practice in an increasingly automated and interconnected world.

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