A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Developing a learning solution to promote digitalisation awareness and role-relevant knowledge in project-based firms; 
Authors: Tacgin, Zeynep; Martinsuo, Miia
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Publication year: 2026
Journal: Project Leadership and Society
Article number: 100231
Volume: 7
eISSN: 2666-7215
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plas.2026.100231
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plas.2026.100231
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/526597641
Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY
Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF
Project-based firms increasingly rely on digital tools to manage complex projects throughout project lifecycles. Some digitalisation efforts may fail, as they do not to account for differences in how experts and managers in various professional roles experience and adopt these tools. This study examines how a learning solution can be designed to address differing digitalisation awareness and role-relevant knowledge needs in project-based firms among engineers/designers, supervisors, and managers. Using an Action Design Research approach, we develop, implement, and evaluate a modular, role-sensitive learning solution in the context of European project-based firms in shipbuilding. The learning solution consists of a common learning module combined with role-specific modules tailored to engineers/designers, supervisors and managers. Iterative design cycles involved data collection through semi-structured interviews, a learning-preferences survey, a structured workshop, successive expert evaluations, and iterative piloting and refinement of the learning solution. The findings demonstrate that role-sensitive learning design enhances perceived relevance, clarity, and readiness to adopt digital tools across user groups. The study contributes design principles for developing learning solutions that support digitalisation, data-driven tool awareness, role-relevant knowledge, and readiness to adopt digital tools in complex project-based environments.
Keywords:
action design research, Digitalization, learning, project management, Shipbuilding
Downloadable publication This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |
Funding information in the publication:
This research was conducted within the Smart European Shipbuilding (SEUS) project, funded by the European Union. Grant agreement nr. 101096224.