Assessing how project management knowledge drives project sustainability in Ghana

Purpose The construction sector in Ghana is increasingly embracing sustainable practices in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in areas such as urban development and climate action. Government initiatives, including the Ghana Building Code (GS 1207:2018) and the National Environment Policy (2012), underscore the need to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability. This study adopts the Knowledge-Based View (KBV) to examine how project management knowledge influences project sustainability. It further investigates the moderating effect of organizational culture and the mediating role of team collaboration in this relationship Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 384 project managers in Ghana's construction industry using a convenience sampling technique. The analysis was conducted with SMART PLS software, utilizing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and bootstrapping methods Findings The findings indicate that project management knowledge significantly enhances project sustainability. Team collaboration and organizational culture also exert a positive and significant impact on project sustainability. Mediation analysis further reveals that team collaboration partially mediates the relationship between project management knowledge and project sustainability Practical implications To achieve sustainable project outcomes, project managers should adopt strategies that foster collaboration and effective knowledge management. Integrating project management knowledge into daily operations through seminars, training and knowledge-sharing sessions can enhance team expertise in sustainable practices and better prepare teams to address emerging project challenges Originality/value This study offers a fresh perspective on the role of project management knowledge in enhancing project sustainability within Ghanaian public institutions. Addressing an underexplored area, it integrates sustainability principles into project management frameworks, specifically in the context of public sector operations in underdeveloped countries. The research highlights how Ghanaian project managers can align project processes with social, economic and environmental goals while addressing contemporary local and global sustainability challenges