Abstract

This integrative doctoral report describes a research project which draws from
the author‟s experience and knowledge of management within the oil and gas
sector. Core to the research is the design and development of a company
management system, the CMS. The system was designed for a new business
division of an international company whose strategic vision was to gain a
global presence as an engineering contractor. The research uses the formal
approach of reflective practice to draw principles from the experiential work.
This reflection resulted in a series of principles which the author proposes are
core to the successful development of a management system.
The project entailed extensive literature research which further developed and
refined the core principles. The principles were compared to the ISO standard,
EFQM Excellence model and several proprietary systems. A qualitative study
was undertaken to investigate the management systems in use in a selection
of sectors, and to explore the applicability of the derived principles. This study
established the views and opinion of senior management to systems and their
attitude towards quality. The synthesis of experiential data, examination of the
literature, lessons learnt from the development of the CMS and the qualitative
study provided further evidence to support the six derived principles, which
are: Value-based, Empowerment, Team culture, Simplicity, Continuous
improvement, and Added Value.
This work makes a contribution to both research and professional practice at
several levels:
Research into professional practice. This work demonstrates the value
of undertaking a research project which is located within professional
practice, and yet grounded in significant primary and secondary
research.
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The six principles. The value and validity of the six principles has been
demonstrated through reflective practice, exploration of the literature, a
case study development of a system (the CMS) and a qualitative study.
The six core principles are novel and have broader applicability than
the oil and gas sector
The CMS. The development of the CMS has demonstrated the value to
be gained by developing a management system according to sound
management principles.
Value-based vs process-based management approaches. Finally the
work demonstrates that a successful management system should be
value (and culture) based, rather than process based.
This piece of professional research thus makes a valuable contribution to the
research of management systems both academically and specifically within
the oil and gas sector.