Organisation design in megaprojects: A systematic literature review and research agenda

Abstract

Megaprojects have a complex and evolving web of organisations arranged in a multilevel and multiphase structure, with intra- and inter-organisational boundaries evolving during the life cycle. This systematic review explores organisation design in megaprojects, identifying the processes for designing temporary megaproject organisational systems. The review analyses 141 full articles from a sample of 10,078 papers and presents three main contributions: the main theoretical lenses used to develop organisation design research in megaprojects, eight decision dimensions influencing organisation design choices, and the most common organisational capabilities. We present the Megaproject Organisation Design (MegaOD) Framework, as a structure to design organisational boundaries, and to identify the organisational dynamics (design, development, and redesign). We suggest four research streams to advance the design of complex organisations: 1. Design of megaproject ecosystems, 2. Degree of organisational interdependence, 3. Design for integration of product and organisational architectures, and 4. The role of organisational designers.