PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY AND SUSTAINABLE PROJECT MANAGEMENT IN TIMES OF CRISIS: EXPLORING THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR CONTEXT

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Halyna BEREZHNA
Oksana KOVTUN
Hanna DANYLCHUK
Tamara IVANOVA

Abstract

The article examines the impact of the Russian-Ukrainian war on the sustainability of projects and project management, analyzing environmental, social, economic, institutional, security, and humanitarian aspects. The authors reveal the challenges of the Russian-Ukrainian war through the prism of sustainability and emphasize the need to revise the traditional understanding of sustainability through the concept of “wartime sustainability,” which requires further research.


This paper emphasizes the pivotal importance of project sustainability in contemporary societies exploring the impact of the Russian-Ukrainian war on project sustainability, theoretical considerations highlight context-dependent sustainability, demanding advanced models for assessments. Environmental, social, economic, institutional, security, and humanitarian aspects are examined internally and externally. The war’s multifaceted impact underscores the need for integrated approaches amid conflict.


Key considerations for sustainability in Ukrainian projects during crises are outlined, stressing challenges in sustainable project management during war and the necessity for a tailored conceptualization. Principles for post-war reconstruction emphasize long-term strategies, agency maintenance, and capacity building. Essential considerations span humanitarian assistance, infrastructure rehabilitation, environmental impact, and support for local economies. Integrating sustainability into project management training is vital, emphasizing profit alignment with societal impact.


A research agenda is proposed to address the complexities of sustainable project management in crisis scenarios, acknowledging the unique circumstances presented by the Russian-Ukrainian war. The authors suggest revisiting the conventional understanding of sustainability, proposing that a new approach, “sustainability in wartime”, might be needed, with a special focus on project sustainability in wartime. They encourage further research to address the unique challenges posed by the Russian-Ukrainian war and to develop new research priorities in this context.

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References

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