Arriagada D, R E and Alarcón C, L F (2014) Knowledge management and maturation model in construction companies. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 140(4): B4013006, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Construction companies are knowledge-intensive organizations which are highly dependent on the skills of their professionals and staff. In today's business world, knowledge management is a major competitive strategy. Effective knowledge management in construction companies requires first characterizing the current practices of knowledge management within the organization, then identifying knowledge networks located in collaborative projects, observing the degree of virtuality in these networks, and identifying the communication facilitators. This paper proposes a model for the design of strategies for knowledge management and maturation, originating with an analysis of collaborative social networks, including their application in the wide spectrum of projects tackled by many construction companies. This document presents the conceptual underpinning of the proposed model and the methodology to add input and make the model operational. This research is interested in the significant amount of knowledge that lies in collaborative networks, as well as potential patterns that may emerge from the type and size of projects, companies, organizational styles, forms of recruitment, etc. With the input of this information, it is possible to design ad hoc strategies for knowledge management and maturity for any construction company.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Index terms: | virtuality, construction company, social network, strategy, methodology, knowledge management, competitive strategy, facilitator, collaborative project, recruitment |
| Subjects: | professional development, management, research methods, information systems, sociology, practitioner, organization, contractual arrangements, economic analysis |
| Topics: | Human Resources, Digital Applications, Procurement, Roles and Professions, Information Management, Research Practice, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here