Project Management Competences and the Sustainability of Non-profit Organisations

The proposed paper addresses the need project management competences of non-for profit organisations in order to be sustainable in the longer run. The contribution of non-profit organisations (NPOs) to the economy is widely acknowledged among researchers. To manage projects in order to pursue their missions, NPOs need to remain sustainable. In this context, the paper addresses the importance of project management competences and their importance for the sustainability of NPOs, i.e. to exist and develop in the longer run. The empirical investigation undertaken in form of qualitative research offers an adequate approach to transition from literature review to some findings based on two case studies discussed in this paper. The first case concerns a medium-sized international fundamental research NPO based in Grenoble (France) that produces neutrons for science. The second case concerns a small national NPO which advocates the interests of large companies from the logistics sector based in Bonn (Germany). The discussion of the findings will conclude with suggestions for further research directions linked to the topic.