Key dimensions of project network governance and implications to safety in nuclear industry projects

In complex safety critical projects such as building a nuclear power plant, safety is considered as an overarching priority. These projects are large, complex and temporal undertakings that bring together a diverse set of actors with differing values, knowledge, culture, traditions, goals, and business models. Aligning multiple various perspectives and interests through appropriate governance mechanisms to achieve shared understanding about safety in complex project networks is challenging. The objective of this conceptual study is to advance our understanding of project network governance and discuss implications for enhancing safety in complex nuclear industry projects. Six key dimensions and related mechanisms of governance in project networks were identified by a systematic literature review: goal setting, incentives, monitoring, coordination, roles and decision making power, and capability building. This framework was used to analyze the influence of governance on achieving safety goals in complex projects. A case example from Olkiluoto 3 nuclear power plant project in Finland is used to illustrate the practical relevance of the framework.