Completion Date

Summer 6-6-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Program or Discipline Name

Project Management

First Advisor

Dr. Thomas Wise

Second Advisor

Prof. Sarah Dyson

Abstract

Financial restructuring is a critical strategy for organizations navigating economic challenges, particularly during mergers and acquisitions (M&A). However, 61% of strategic initiatives fail due to ineffective knowledge transfer, communication barriers, and insufficient integration of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) (PMI, 2014; Durst & Zieba, 2019). This study explores the integration of project management (PM) methodologies and AI-driven tools to enhance financial restructuring outcomes. Through a quantitative analysis of 64 professionals across industries, the research identifies key challenges including cultural clashes (44%), communication barriers (43%), and lack of standardized processes (38%) while demonstrating AI's positive impact on knowledge transfer efficiency (*r* = 0.62, *p* < 0.05). AI-enhanced Project Management Offices (PMOs) outperformed traditional PMOs (M = 4.2 vs. 3.1), yet hybrid structures faced unexpected resistance. The findings underscore the need for balanced AI adoption, addressing both technological and human-centric barriers. This research contributes actionable frameworks for practitioners and advances theoretical discourse by merging Nonaka and Takeuchi’s (1995) knowledge creation theory with AI capability maturity models (Anderson & Martinez, 2023).

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