Zin, I N M and Egbu, C (2009) A literature review on the challenges associated with implementing knowledge management strategies in construction organisations. In: Dainty, A R J (ed.) Proceedings of 25th Annual ARCOM Conference, 7-9 September 2009, Nottingham, UK.
Abstract
The significance of knowledge management (KM) in any organisation is increasingly being realised. As a result, KM is increasingly being incorporated in the management agenda and in organisational strategic choices. KM is becoming an important tool in staying ahead in the competition between organisations. A review of the literature indicates that the construction industry has begun to realise the importance of KM. However, many construction firms are facing challenges to do with collating, assimilating and exploiting relevant information and experiences. Even if knowledge is captured, getting people to contribute and utilise stored knowledge assets is a challenge. With these come further challenges, which are precipitated either because people are not aware of the involved KM technologies or are not cognisant of the benefits of such KM initiatives. However, if these challenges are effectively addressed, organisations stand to derive a lot of benefits. Part of addressing these challenges is the development and implementation of a holistic and effective knowledge strategy. This paper reviews KM strategies together with the impact of such strategies on construction organisations. It concludes that aligning a KM strategy with the wider organisational strategy is vital. It recommends that effective communication of a KM strategy within the organisation is important as part of an effective implementation of a KM strategy. In addition, a balanced view is needed in considering the issues of finance, culture, technology and people issues in the development and implementation of an effective strategy.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | competition; culture; knowledge management; strategy |
| Index terms: | competition, knowledge management, implementation, construction industry, becoming, organizational strategy, construction organization, construction firm, strategy, literature review |
| Subjects: | business, organization, data analysis and analytics, contractual arrangements, professional development, management, philosophical process, industry analysis, market analysis |
| Topics: | Procurement, Business Strategy, Information Management, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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