Global Business Services (GBS) significantly influence operational models and process sourcing across corporate functions. By establishing Centers of Expertise (CoE) and collaborating with global business process outsourcing (BPO) organizations, GBS creates substantial strategic value, fostering efficiency, innovation and digitalization of business processes.

Many organizations today are project-based or project-oriented, and these organizations are strongly connected to corporate strategy. Indeed, the role of project-based operations is 1) to implement corporate strategy 2) to translate this strategy into programmes and projects and 3) to create a competitive advantage for the organizations. In that context, we ask two questions: 1) Do the business operations design parameters apply to project-based operations design? and 2) What changes are required to make design parameters work effectively at project-based operations?

Global businesses have an enormous impact on nations and communities across the world. Business leaders are creating social value by expanding globally and partnering with cross-border institutions.

Having a proper operating model is a key prerequisite of business success, a starting point for making organizational design decisions. The model first works as a spine to frame relevant business processes and governance environments. Second, it brings transparency to organization structure. Third, it allows businesses to create effective motivation systems and management practices. Finally, the model enables companies to pursue a deliberate set of business priorities.

All types of organisational design influence not only business life but also social and economic life. It may seem that the theory of organisational design has already been established and that leaders can simply follow developments in the field. However, there are complications in both academic and practical areas that should form part of future research.