“People as our most important asset”: A critical exploration of agility and employee commitment

Katia Dupret*, Sabina Pultz

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

In this article, we examine how employees experience different types of work commitment at an IT consultancy company using agility to give staff greater autonomy and decision-making latitude. We analyze its agile practices through an in-depth case study comprising interviews and non-participative observation of managers and employees, concluding that the company aims to increase autonomy and decision-making latitude by introducing agile approaches to project management, but thereby risks eroding its employees’ commitment. Indeed, the new social dynamics engender new professional insecurities and decision-making passivity and appear to lack a clear organizational purpose, thus challenging certain aspects of employee commitment.

Translated title of the contributionRe-distribution af autoritet i anti-hierarkisk alternativ organisering
Original languageEnglish
JournalProject Management Journal
Volume53
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)219-235
Number of pages17
ISSN8756-9728
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Keywords

  • Agile
  • Project management
  • Work commitment
  • Future of work
  • Knowledge work

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