Kurul, E (2015) Influences of social capital on knowledge creation: An exploration in the UK built environment sector. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 11(2), pp. 83-104. ISSN 1745-2007
Abstract
The UK built environment sector faces a number of important challenges such as reducing carbon emissions and cost. New knowledge should be created to develop new practices, competences and capabilities to overcome these challenges. Studies that characterise knowledge creation as a transformation process through the networks of social relationships and intra-organisational teams are needed to understand, and thus improve such processes in project environments. Structural, relational and cognitive dimensions of Social Capital (SC) influence the utilisation of knowledge creation opportunities inherent in project networks. Hence, SC provides the essential infrastructure for knowledge creation. A fresh approach to operationalising the concept of SC through social network analysis and content analysis is thus required. This paper develops and explores the conceptual relationships between knowledge creation and SC in the context of two live building projects. There are two main conclusions. First, structural network indices are indicators of knowledge creation opportunities but they should be considered in conjunction with the relational and cognitive dimensions to determine whether and how opportunities are being utilised. Second, project communication strategies should be designed to enable actors in structurally advantageous positions for knowledge creation to utilise these opportunities.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | absorptive capacity; knowledge creation; social capital; social network analysis |
| Index terms: | content analysis, built environment, social network analysis, face, dimension, exploration, project communication, transformation, absorptive capacity, project network, carbon emission, competence, knowledge creation, strategy, social capital |
| Subjects: | project planning, professional development, health monitoring assessment and metrics, environmental resource management, psychology, infrastructure and transport systems, climate science, business, research methods, personnel development, theoretical framing, sociology, management, knowledge management, data analysis and analytics |
| Topics: | Project Management, Information Management, Urban Studies, Health and Safety, Sustainability, Research Practice, Human Resources, Business Strategy, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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