Construct IT: An exploratory case study of a knowledge network supported by an intermediary

The UK Construction Industry is often viewed as having low productivity, with low levels of research and innovation. Inter-organisational networks are seen as a major way of acquiring new knowledge for an organisation. Construct IT is a member-owned, intermediary supported network, dedicated to the development and dissemination of the knowledge in construction IT. This case study applies a theoretical framework, I-Space, for the creation, use and dissemination of knowledge. Synthesising this approach with Soft Systems Methodology, the case explores the issues of sharing knowledge in an inter-organisational framework. The approach identifies the key activities that an intermediary must undertake to best support the knowledge cycle. The approach uses contextual interviews to address the fundamental issues of purpose between different stakeholder groups, which allows a "root definition" to be developed as a consensus basis for the development of the systems. Developing models of the entire system allows for the identification of those activities, which the intermediary can manage directly, and those that require the development of strategic relationships. The models that are identified as key to the process have been evaluated with the members to create an implementation plan. The I-Space/ Soft Systems approach analyses the network from a knowledge perspective. This views the activities of the network as processes to create, disseminate and use knowledge to create value for the member organisations. By identifying where knowledge is at a specific point in time, the intermediary can select the knowledge processes and network topologies that are required to move knowledge to the point where the members can most easily extract value. The redesigned network is geared, not just towards creating knowledge, but creating value generating knowledge assets.