Worlds Apart and Close Together: Relating Mechatronics and Project Management Research

Abstract

While they originate from different contexts and values, the Mechatronic and Project Management research communities are both committed to the study of the process of complex engineering systems design. These two fields have generally been engaged in their research separated from each other. Recently, calls have been heard from both to end such disciplinary separation. This paper seeks to conceptually relate the two research communities, seeking to understand how they can be seen as different, related and inclusive of each other through offering three conceptual models of their relationships.