The Effect of Project Names on Escalation of Commitment in Information Systems Projects

Nick Benschop; Arno L.P. Nuijten; Mark Keil; Kristinka Wilmink; Harry R. Commandeur

doi:10.1177/87569728231166925

The Effect of Project Names on Escalation of Commitment in Information Systems Projects

Nick Benschop^*
, Arno L.P. Nuijten
, Mark Keil
, Kristinka Wilmink
, Harry R. Commandeur

^*Corresponding author for this work

Open Universiteit
J. Mack Robinson College of Business
Erasmus School of Accounting & Assurance (ESAA)

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

95 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This study explores how project names may influence the tendency to escalate commitment through two experiments. Our findings from Experiment 1 show that a positive project name evokes positive affective reactions to the project. These, in turn, are associated with a greater willingness to continue a failing project. Results from Experiment 2 show that a technological project name can similarly evoke more positive affective reactions and a greater willingness to continue but only for decision makers with high technology readiness. For decision makers with low technology readiness the effect was reversed.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	349-365
Number of pages	17
Journal	Project Management Journal
Volume	54
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/87569728231166925
Publication status	Published - Aug 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Project Management Institute, Inc.

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10.1177/87569728231166925

benschop-et-al-2023-the-effect-of-project-names-on-escalation-of-commitment-in-information-systems-projectsFinal published version, 689 KBLicence: Article 25fa Dutch Copyright Act

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title = "The Effect of Project Names on Escalation of Commitment in Information Systems Projects",

abstract = "This study explores how project names may influence the tendency to escalate commitment through two experiments. Our findings from Experiment 1 show that a positive project name evokes positive affective reactions to the project. These, in turn, are associated with a greater willingness to continue a failing project. Results from Experiment 2 show that a technological project name can similarly evoke more positive affective reactions and a greater willingness to continue but only for decision makers with high technology readiness. For decision makers with low technology readiness the effect was reversed.",

author = "Nick Benschop and Nuijten, \{Arno L.P.\} and Mark Keil and Kristinka Wilmink and Commandeur, \{Harry R.\}",

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AU - Commandeur, Harry R.

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The Effect of Project Names on Escalation of Commitment in Information Systems Projects

Abstract

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Researcher at Erasmus University Medical Center Publishes Research in Data Systems (The Effect of Project Names on Escalation of Commitment in Information Systems Projects)

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The Effect of Project Names on Escalation of Commitment in Information Systems Projects

Abstract

Bibliographical note

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Researcher at Erasmus University Medical Center Publishes Research in Data Systems (The Effect of Project Names on Escalation of Commitment in Information Systems Projects)

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