Do Classics Exist in Megaproject Management? (Introduction)

Bent Flyvbjerg, and J. Rodney Turner, 2017, "Do Classics Exist in Megaproject Management?", introduction to special issue on classics in megaproject management, International Journal of Project Management, published online July 31, DOI 10.1016/j.ijproman.2017.07.006

19 Pages Posted: 4 Aug 2017

See all articles by Bent Flyvbjerg

Bent Flyvbjerg

University of Oxford - Said Business School; IT University of Copenhagen; St Anne's College, University of Oxford

John Rodney Turner

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Erasmus School of Economics (ESE); Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM)

Date Written: July 31, 2017

Abstract

This special issue asks, “Do classics exist in megaproject management?” We identify three types of classics: conventional, Kuhnian, and citation classics. We find that the answer to our question depends on the definition of “classic” employed. First, “citation classics” do exist in megaproject management, and they perform remarkably well when compared to the rest of the management literature. A preliminary Top Ten of citation classics is presented. Second, there is no indication that “conventional classics” exist in megaproject management, i.e., texts recognized as definitive by a majority of experts. Third, there is also no consensus as to whether “Kuhnian classics" exist, i.e., texts with paradigmatic clout. The importance of classics seems to be accepted, however, just as work to develop, discuss, and consolidate classics is seen as essential by megaproject scholars. A set of guidelines is presented for developing classics in megaproject management research.

Suggested Citation

Flyvbjerg, Bent and Turner, John Rodney, Do Classics Exist in Megaproject Management? (Introduction) (July 31, 2017). Bent Flyvbjerg, and J. Rodney Turner, 2017, "Do Classics Exist in Megaproject Management?", introduction to special issue on classics in megaproject management, International Journal of Project Management, published online July 31, DOI 10.1016/j.ijproman.2017.07.006, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3012134

Bent Flyvbjerg (Contact Author)

University of Oxford - Said Business School ( email )

Oxford
Great Britain

IT University of Copenhagen ( email )

Copenhagen
Denmark

St Anne's College, University of Oxford ( email )

Oxford
United Kingdom

John Rodney Turner

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) ( email )

Burgemeester Oudlaan 50
3062 PA Rotterdam, NL 3062 PA
Netherlands

Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM)

P.O. Box 1738
3000 DR Rotterdam
Netherlands

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