Prioritizing Stakeholders in Collaborative Research and Innovation Projects Toward Sustainability José M. R. C. A. Santos 1 and Gabriela Fernandes 2 Abstract Stakeholder engagement in collaborative ...

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Prioritizing Stakeholders in Collaborative
Research and Innovation Projects Toward
Sustainability
José M. R. C. A. Santos 1 and Gabriela Fernandes 2
Abstract
Stakeholder engagement in collaborative research and innovation projects poses signi?cant challenges, particularly in complex, multistake-
holder settings addressing sustainability concerns. This study proposes a novel method for stakeholder prioritization in such projects, com-
bining the analytic network process (ANP) tool with the sustainability categories of the P5 standard for sustainability in project management.
Its applicability and usefulness are demonstrated through a case studyproject, using the new stakeholder theory (NST) lens. The ANP-P5
method can assist project managers in effectively aligning stakeholder management with both sustainability and NST principles.
Keywords
stakeholder management, stakeholder prioritization, sustainable project management, circular economy, analytic network process, new
stakeholder theory
Introduction
Organizational contexts in which projects are generally developed
increasingly include the imperative of sustainability, namely from
the social, economic, and environmental points of view (Sabini
et al., 2019; Silvius, 2017). Speci?cally, research and innovation
(R&I) projects are critical in driving sustainability and prosperity,
serving as vital means to delivering tangible bene?ts to society
(Fernandes & O’Sullivan, 2021). Importantly, public funds are
increasingly being invested in R&I projects that addressgrand
or societal challenges (Præst Knudsen et al., 2019), such as pro-
moting sustainability through circular economy principles and
technologies, which can have signi?cant economic, environmen-
tal, and social impacts. R&I activities are therefore a key instru-
ment to achieve sustainabilitybyprojects. Moreover, the
integration of sustainability into project management practices
(i.e., sustainabilityofprojects) can offer organizations a competi-
tive advantage and enhance project success (Marcelino-Sádaba
et al., 2015; Martens & Carvalho, 2016).
Collaborative R&I projects are characterized by high levels
of risk, technical and scienti?c uncertainty, and potential
clashes between the goals of academia and industry
(Rybnicek & Königsgruber, 2019). Their scope and knowledge
base are typically broader than those of atypicalindustry
project, which increases the complexity of stakeholder manage-
ment toward project success (Urbinati et al., 2021). Typically,these projects bring together a consortium of companies,
research-performing organizations, and other entities such as
sectorial associations and public authorities. This involvement
of heterogeneous stakeholders can signi?cantly increase the
potential for con?icts (Moura & Teixeira, 2010) and sets
dynamic relationships that require considerable trust and com-
mitment among stakeholders to create reciprocal bene?ts over
time (Fernandes & O’Sullivan, 2021). Moreover, pr