Boerkoel, S; Gledson, B; Littlemore, M and Ponton, H (2022) Challenges of organisational learning in a Netherlands project-based organisation. In: Tutesigensi, A and Neilson, C J (eds.) Proceedings of 38th Annual ARCOM Conference, 5-7 September 2022, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK.
Abstract
Project-Based Organisations (PBOs) in the Dutch construction sector face continual challenges to become more adaptable and increase their performance. Whilst there are several cultural and procedural issues that need to be addressed to fully overcome these problems, this research explores the possibility of Organisational Learning (OL) as a theoretical lens for overcoming some of the inherent concerns and to aid the industry in the quest to create, disseminate and apply new knowledge for the common good. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven construction managers and leaders from a high-level Dutch construction case study firm. Primary and secondary research results reveal that many construction PBOs fail to effectively practice OL, as most learning stays within project boundaries due to a lack of organisational learning mechanisms (OLM) that would institutionalise learning. Furthermore, the project-based manner of working prioritises short-term project objectives instead of improvements that are associated with learning. Barriers that impede OL include project uniqueness, geographical dispersion, fragmentation, the dissolvement of project teams, the temporary nature of projects and decentralised organisational structures. Increasing the organisational commitment of project team members and priority towards learning can improve OL.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | organizational culture; organizational learning. |
| Index terms: | boundaries, project team, organizational culture, construction sector, construction manager, project-based organization, organizational commitment, Netherlands, fragmentation, face, organizational structure, case study, organizational learning, interview |
| Subjects: | sociology, industry analysis, professional development, Geography, psychology, project delivery, property law, business, organization, data collection methods, profession |
| Topics: | Legal Issues, Organizational Design, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Project Management, Information Management, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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