In his extensive and in-depth research thesis, supervised by Prof. Dr. Constanta-Nicoleta Bodea and co-supervised by Prof. Dr. Mladen Radujković, he focused on the success of projects in nonprofit organizations (NPOs) and the crucial role of project leadership competencies.

In today's world, nonprofit organizations are often under pressure to achieve precise and measurable results despite limited resources. "However, research shows that project success within NPOs often lags. The main reason for this issue is the lack of awareness about the critical role of project leadership competencies in achieving success," explains the newly minted PhD.

Saidoun's research delves into the impact of various aspects of project leadership on success in NPOs, with a central focus on competencies such as Leader-Leader Exchange (LLX), shared values, the project team's result orientation, and personal communication.

The research employs quantitative and qualitative methods to provide a comprehensive picture of how leadership competencies affect project success. "An international survey was conducted between March and May 2023, involving more than 100 NPOs and 205 participants. Quantitative data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and the bootstrap method. Additionally, focus groups and ethnographic interviews were conducted to validate and deepen the findings," Saidoun explains.

The research results indicate that leadership and shared values are key factors in improving project success in NPOs. Personal communication proved to be an important moderating variable that enhances the impact of leadership and shared values on project success. Notably, the project team's competency in result orientation showed a greater impact on project success than the project leader's direct competency. This finding offers significant insights into how organizations can improve project performance by developing leadership competencies within project team members.

The research also provides practical recommendations and guidelines for further study. Key recommendations include a greater focus on developing leadership competencies within project teams and improving personal communication and result orientation. These measures can help organizations achieve better results and enhance the success of their projects.

This study contributes to a better understanding of the impact of project leadership competencies on project success in NPOs. It offers valuable strategic guidelines for improving project management in the nonprofit sector.