{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,19]],"date-time":"2026-03-19T17:48:23Z","timestamp":1773942503667,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":54,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"9","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,15]],"date-time":"2025-09-15T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1757894400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Systems"],"abstract":"<jats:p>This study explores the subjective perceptions of project managers regarding barriers to implementing sustainable project management (SPM). Using Q-methodology and grounded in the theory of planned behavior (TPB), 28 project managers across diverse industries sorted and ranked statements about sustainability-related constraints. The analysis revealed three distinct belief patterns: \u201cmotivated yet confined\u201d, characterized by structural and organizational limitations; \u201cmotivated yet lacking competency\u201d, reflecting personal skill gaps and limited training; and \u201cmotivated yet unsupported\u201d, highlighting weak normative support from peers and leadership. Despite differing barriers, all participants expressed positive attitudes toward sustainability, underscoring a common intention\u2013behavior gap shaped by varying perceptions of behavioral control and normative reinforcement. The findings suggest that generic interventions are insufficient; instead, belief-sensitive strategies are needed to enable SPM adoption. Implications include reforming performance measurement systems, integrating sustainability into professional training, and cultivating supportive organizational cultures. The study contributes to both behavioral theory and project management practice by reframing sustainability barriers as belief-dependent phenomena and offers a foundation for more tailored, psychologically grounded interventions. These insights are relevant for educators, policymakers, and organizational leaders seeking to enhance sustainability outcomes through empowered and context-aware project management practices.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/systems13090804","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,15]],"date-time":"2025-09-15T11:51:43Z","timestamp":1757937103000},"page":"804","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Exploring Different Patterns of Perceived Barriers to Sustainable Project Management"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"13","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2835-3169","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jos\u00e9","family":"Magano","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Research Center in Business and Economics (CICEE), Universidade Aut\u00f3noma de Lisboa, Rua Sta. Marta 47, 5 Andar, 1150-293 Lisboa, Portugal"},{"name":"Higher Institute of Business and Tourism Sciences (ISCET), Rua de Cedofeita, 285, 4050-180 Porto, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3837-2809","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Cl\u00e1udia Sousa","family":"Silva","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"GOVCOPP\u2014Research Unit on Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal"},{"name":"ESTGA\u2014School of Technology and Management, R. Cmte. Pinho e Freitas 28, 3750-127 \u00c1gueda, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0006-8805-8064","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Lea","family":"Percht","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Lauder Business School, Hofzeile 18-20, 1190 Vienna, Austria"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6494-3345","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Gilbert","family":"Silvius","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of People and Business, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Padualaan 101, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands"},{"name":"Department of Applied Information Systems, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park Bunting Road Campus, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,15]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1479","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclepro.2017.08.121","article-title":"Sustainability as a new school of thought in project management","volume":"166","author":"Silvius","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. 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