Assessing and Developing a Project Portfolio Management Framework for the Hospitality Business Unit : A Case Study of Hanko Aasia within NoHo Partners

Abstract

This thesis examines how project portfolio management-related practices can be assessed and developed in a hospitality business unit. This study addresses focus on Hanko Aasia within NoHo Partners as a case context where multiple development initiatives exist but are not managed through a fully formalized project portfolio management system. The objective is to assess current practices and to develop a context sensitive framework for those existing practices improvement.

The study applies a qualitative single case study design with abductive approach. The empirical material consists of three semi structured interviews with organizational key roles representative, supported by the publicly available company material. The data are analysed thematically, guided by a literature based conceptual framework built on the strategic alignment, initiative identification and prioritization, governance, uncertainty and feasibility, and portfolio value.

The findings show that the case organization already demonstrates several portfolio management practices but are not institutionalised. Development initiatives are generally linked with business goals, concept direction, customer relevance, and business performance. However, the prioritisation logics are partly implicit, governance is not equally visible across levels, whereas implementation support and learning can be strengthened.

Based on the literature and empirical findings, the thesis proposes a context-sensitive yet practical framework for improving development initiative management in a hospitality business unit. The study contributes practically by offering a usable framework for the case context and contributes theoretically by extending project portfolio management discussion into a service intensive and operationally embedded environment.