Mindfulness and Stress in Project Management: Evidence from Project Teams in Nepal

Abstract

The relationship between mindfulness, stress, and project performance among project team members in Nepal is analysed in this thesis. The study is conducted in project-based settings, where uncertain conditions, tight deadlines, complicated tasks, and limited resources are commonly associated with work. In these environments, stress is regularly experienced by professionals working on projects and may likely affect employee well-being, team collaboration, and overall project success. Simultaneously, mindfulness has been widely recognized as a cognitive resource that contributes to present-moment awareness, emotional stability, and flexible responses in stressful environments. While these concepts have been receiving attention, only a few empirical studies have been conducted in project-related contexts in developing countries, especially in Nepal.

The purpose of this study is to examine how mindfulness influences stress and project performance among project team members in Nepal. Along with this, whether stress acts as a mediator between mindfulness and project performance was analysed. The study is supported by theoretical frameworks related to mindfulness, stress, and project management, which describe how individuals react to challenging work environment, and how psychological capabilities may influence project performance. The study focuses on key concepts of mindfulness, stress, project performance, and project team members in project-oriented organizations.

A quantitative research method is adopted in this study. Data has been gathered via a structured questionnaire with open-ended questions distributed among project professionals who works in project team in different industries such as construction, information technology, manufacturing, and development-related work in Nepal. The data has been analysed using statistical methods, which include descriptive analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and mediation analysis. Ethical standards have been maintained throughout the process, and the respondents have been voluntary, anonymous, and confidential.

The findings of the study suggested that no statistically significant relationships are identified between mindfulness, stress, and project performance. In addition, stress does not act as a mediator between mindfulness and project performance. These findings suggest that the relationships found in existing literature may not be applicable in the same way in Nepalese project environments. It is suggested that project performance within these contexts may be more dependent on organizational design, administrative conditions, and external factors instead of relying on individual psychological factors.