The challenges of project management in small and medium-sized enterprises: a literature review based on bibliometric software and content analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to design an overview about Project Management (PM) in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) by analysing the evolution of publications and the main topics since 1996 to 2016 to motivate future research that helps SMEs to apply PM practices more efficiently. This study performed bibliometrics associated with content analysis of publications collected in scientific bases Web of Science and Scopus and in the periodic International Journal of Project Management. For that, the software VOSviewer, Nvivo, Minitab, and Excel were used in the analyses. The scan of 235 papers about Project Management in SMEs supported a literature overview. Furthermore, four thematic categories are highlighted: Project Management Practices, Planning and Control Systems, Collaboration, and Knowledge Management. Moreover, it was observed that SMEs requires a lighter PM methodology, focused on people and flexible. Besides that, the results show that the main challenges involve a lack of resources and qualified people and the high turnover. However, overcoming these issues, PM can benefit growth and innovation in SMEs. Therefore, this study presents a conceptual framework of benefits and challenges in Project Management in SMEs, reducing the research gap. Furthermore, recommendations for future research, mainly in Brazil, are given.

A literature review of MSME success: Acceptance and use of technology, financial access, and strategic cooperation

“…The government has also implemented several initiatives to promote e-learning in SMEs, including providing subsidies to companies that use e-learning systems and providing access to online courses and materials. In addition, e-learning can provide a cost-effective way for companies to train and develop employees while helping to increase productivity and efficiency (De Almeida Parizotto et al, 2020). E-learning has the potential to significantly improve the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Brazil, especially in the technology and digital sectors.…”

Características, focos de pesquisa e tendências sobre liderança na gestão de projetos: uma análise bibliométrica

“…Ao tratar de projetos, também devemos considerar que o perfil organizacional é um aspecto que deve ser considerado. Por exemplo, no caso das pequenas empresas, estas precisam de práticas de gestão de projetos mais leves, focadas em pessoas e flexíveis, de forma a beneficiar estas rumo ao crescimento e inovação (Parizotto et al, 2020). Sobre este aspecto, vale ressaltar que, dentro do contexto da gestão de projetos, há diversas metodologias de trabalho, sendo estas basicamente divididas entre métodos tradicionais e métodos ágeis, onde as primeiras se caracterizam por produtos previsíveis, que podem ser desenvolvidos com um planejamento meticuloso, enquanto os métodos ágeis são característicos de produtos definidos por feedbacks e mudanças rápidas (Nerur et al, 2005).…”

The Role of Cost Management Strategies for Sme Business: A Conceptual Framework

“…The process of selected published study is around 210. Of this electronics sample, 23 edocuments were not relevant because the majority of repeated studies and 139 publications did not convey cost Management in SMEs after considering titles, summary, abstract, and keywords (Almeida Parizotto et al, 2020). Maximum of them is not included in the particular areas.…”