Le, M A T and Brønn, C (2007) Linking experience and learning: Application to multi-project building environments. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 14(2), pp. 150-163. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose - The ability to learn is an important organisational resource. The purpose of this paper is to identify issues involved in achieving transfer learning across large construction projects in the building sector. The focus is on linking experiences gained in the operation and maintenance phase of one project to the earlier construction phases in subsequent projects. Design/methodology/approach - The paper presented is conceptual in nature. Findings - Evidence from the construction industry clearly indicates that significant economic benefits can be realized by improving the experience transfer learning process across projects. Despite the industry's significant investments in computer-based management systems, experience and research shows there are other factors that have a significant impact on this learning process. A framework for diagnosing an organisation's learning characteristics is identified. This framework includes both the structural dimension of the formal organisation and the cultural dimension of the social relationships within the organisation. Originality/value - Improved feedback from the operative and maintenance phase has the potential to reduce total life cycle costs for future construction projects. Using Kim's OADI-SMM model of organisational learning, this paper applies a diagnostic instrument that focuses on the organisation's structural and cultural characteristics to identify breakdowns in experience transfer and learning. Awareness of the factors that inhibit experience transfer and learning can contribute to improving industry performance.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction industry; knowledge transfer; learning; organizational structures |
| Index terms: | industry performance, construction industry, dimension, construction phase, operative, methodology, construction project, knowledge transfer, structural dimension, evidence, organizational learning, organizational structure, operation and maintenance, large construction project, management system, life cycle cost |
| Subjects: | project delivery, analytical methods, health monitoring assessment and metrics, practitioner, evaluation and assessment methods, research dissemination and communication, financial analysis, industry analysis, sociology, professional development, production management, organizational theory, maintenance engineering, research methods, management |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Organizational Design, Engineering Principles, Information Management, Research Practice, Project Management, Health and Safety, Cost Management, Business Strategy, Roles and Professions |
| 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