Relationship between Entrepreneurial Orientation and Project Management Maturity in Brazilian Software Firms

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and project management maturity in software firms. Initially, the literature concerning both matters has been approached. Then, a conceptual model which suggests that the entrepreneurial orientation is positively related to the project management maturity, has been proposed. In order to evaluate this model, the Structural Equation Modeling technique has been adopted through the Partial Least Square method using a sample of 102 questionnaires given by managers of Brazilian software firms. The model was validated and the study hypothesis confirmed. The results of the study reveal that there is a positive relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and project management maturity in the surveyed firms. Thus, innovativeness, risk-taking and proactiveness exert a positive impact on the project management maturity, which is characterized by integration management, scope management, time management, cost management, quality management, human resources management, communications management, risk management and procurement management. The results collaborate with the theoretical discussions surrounding these subjects contributing to seal literature gap to combine entrepreneurship and project management. As managerial contributions, the study provides executives and managers to have a general view that the entrepreneurial orientation exerts beneficial impacts on the project management maturity.