The Evolution of Project-Based Organizations: A Bibliometric Analysis and Literature Review

Abstract

This study explores the evolution of research within project-based organizations, uncovering new trends and identifying promising directions for future inquiries. Employing a comprehensive six-step methodology that combines bibliometric and content analyses, this research assessed term frequency, conceptual interconnections, influential contributors, geographic clusters, and dominant themes shaping the field. The dual-tool strategy using VosViewer and SciMAT enhanced the reliability and depth of our bibliometric analysis, allowing for a nuanced understanding of the interlinks between concepts and the chronological progression of terms. Data from 1,066 papers published between 2000 and 2022, extracted from the Scopus database, were analyzed to visualize six clusters based on 180 frequently used keywords. This analysis not only highlighted the multidisciplinary nature of project-based organization studies, focusing on “project management,” “knowledge management,” and “project-based learning,” but also revealed 28 key terms associated with the project-based organization cluster, emphasizing robust connections to knowledge transfer and management. Additionally, Google Trends analysis showed a growing interest in the topic among non-scholars, mirroring the academic attention it receives. Content analysis of seminal papers, selected based on citations, aligned with the term chronology from the broader sample, pinpointing several vital research directions. This research stands out for its innovative approach, combining dual-tool bibliometric analysis with content analysis to address a significant gap in the literature. It offers reliable and robust results, bridging the disconnect between quantitative data synthesis and qualitative insights to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the field.