Exploring the use of computer-mediated communication for knowledge management in project environments

The concept of utilising computer-mediated communication and social media applications as knowledge transfer agents within project environments is explored and a conceptual model for rapid dissemination of knowledge between resources across the various project phases is proposed. The model takes into account the use of tacit and explicit knowledge transfer between different project resources working within the same project phase. Five research questions were posed and, in order to answer these, interviews were conducted with respondents within a number of large organisations that utilise computer-mediated communication. Barriers to knowledge transfer mentioned in literature were found to exist in these South African organisations in 2013. A number of problems relating to the use of social media or computer-mediated communication for knowledge management in project environments were identified. Suggestions are made for improving the use of social media for project knowledge management. Specific applications that organisations use for transferring knowledge were identified and these findings are incorporated into the conceptual model.http://www.journals.co.za/ej/ejour_jcman.htmltm201

Improving knowledge retention and use in construction project team environments : a soft systems methodology approach

This study provides an understanding and identification of knowledge management challenges in project teams within a single organization. Identification of challenges has generated discussion and recommendations are put forward for improving the level of knowledge management within the organization. This information is useful to those who are involved in knowledge management in project environments in construction; equally, the methodology can be applied to other types of project teams.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Improving knowledge retention and use in construction project team environments : a soft systems methodology approach

This study provides an understanding and identification of knowledge management challenges in project teams within a single organization. Identification of challenges has generated discussion and recommendations are put forward for improving the level of knowledge management within the organization. This information is useful to those who are involved in knowledge management in project environments in construction; equally, the methodology can be applied to other types of project teams.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Perspectives on reusing codified project knowledge: a structured literature review

Project documentation represents a valuable source of knowledge in project-based organizations. The practical reality is, however, that the knowledge codified in project documents is hardly re-used in future projects. A central problem in this context is the extensive amount of usually textual material. As a consequence, computer-assisted processes are indispensable in order to analytically manage the constantly growing and evolving databases of available project documents. The goal of this study is to summarize the current research focusing on the computer-assisted reuse of textually codified project knowledge and to define the corresponding state-of-the-art in this this specific field of information systems research. As a result of a literature review, this study structures the body of research contributions and outlines what kinds of computer-assisted techniques are incorporated, what practical application areas these solutions address, and in what business domains they are applied. In particular, this should point out research opportunities and thereby make a contribution to the further development of knowledge management in project environments

Perspectives on reusing codified project knowledge: a structured literature review

Project documentation represents a valuable source of knowledge in project-based organizations. The practical reality is, however, that the knowledge codified in project documents is hardly re-used in future projects. A central problem in this context is the extensive amount of usually textual material. As a consequence, computer-assisted processes are indispensable in order to analytically manage the constantly growing and evolving databases of available project documents. The goal of this study is to summarize the current research focusing on the computer-assisted reuse of textually codified project knowledge and to define the corresponding state-of-the-art in this this specific field of information systems research. As a result of a literature review, this study structures the body of research contributions and outlines what kinds of computer-assisted techniques are incorporated, what practical application areas these solutions address, and in what business domains they are applied. In particular, this should point out research opportunities and thereby make a contribution to the further development of knowledge management in project environments

Managing Knowledge in Project Environments

Projects ought to be vehicles for both practical benefits and organizational learning. However, if an organization is designed for the long term, a project exists only for its duration. Project-based organizations face an awkward dilemma: the project-centric nature of their work makes knowledge management, hence learning, difficult

Knowledge management in the voluntary sector: A focus on sharing project know-how and expertise

Voluntary sector organisations are operated principally by volunteers who are not obliged to share their knowledge, as might be expected in a for profit company, with a greater consequent loss of knowledge should individuals leave. This research examines how a volunteer-led organisation, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), acquires, stores and shares its project knowledge in the context of event management. Three annual CAMRA festivals of different sizes and maturity were selected to see how volunteers' knowledge is managed in the process of organising their festivals. Key festival officers were interviewed and focus groups, comprising of festival volunteers, were conducted. While the maturity of a festival and its size seemed to influence the ways in which knowledge was managed there were some commonalities between festivals. Evident was a strong master-apprentice model of learning with little formal training or record keeping except, that is, where legislation and accountability in treasury and health and safety functions were necessary. Trust between volunteers and their need to know and to share information appeared to be dependent, in part, on their perception and confidence in the success of the overarching project organisation, and this helped shape volunteers' knowledge sharing practices. Whilst there was evidence of a laissez-faire approach to codification and the sharing of knowledge, this was less so when volunteers recognised a genuine lack of knowledge which would hinder the success of their festival. The analysis also highlighted factors related to the sharing of knowledge that, it is suggested, have not been identified in the for-profit sector

Assessing the Role of Knowledge and Project Management in the Competitiveness of Manufacturing Firms in Baja California

This article analyses the Knowledge Management (KM) and Project Management (PM) practices of manufacturing firms based in Baja California to determine their level of importance in generating competitive advantage in the manufacturing sector in Baja California. Key questions researched in this paper are: 1) How is KM managed through information technologies and organisational systems, ensuring empirical and industrial success? and 2) How do PM strategies increase competitiveness in the Baja California manufacturing sector? The research analyses currently-implemented management systems used for improved KM and PM, based on knowledge and new advantage orientation. One of the limitations found in this research is that several firms do not adopt standardised policies relating to knowledge procurement and development. Although competitiveness is perceived as vital for organisations, the combination of KM and PM are not yet fully developed and integrated into organisational processes to increase competitiveness. It is found that KM and PM have influence and correlations with competitiveness

What to Do With All These Project Documentations? – Research Issues in Reusing Codified Project Knowledge

Project-based organizations invest a lot of time and effort into the extensive documentation of their projects. These project documents usually contain innovative knowledge and represent a significant source of information for the continual development of a learning organization. However, this codified project knowledge often remains untapped afterwards. A central problem in this context is the sheer information overload due to the often very large documentation stocks in project-based organizations. Against this background, this paper poses the following question: what can be done with the extensive project documentation after it has been created? To answer this question, two methodological approaches are combined. First, a literature review summarizes the current status quo of research in this special area. Then, expert interviews with IT project managers provide a deeper understanding of common practical problems. The combination of respective findings makes it possible to uncover research gaps and subsequently to define future needs for research. In sum, this paper formulates six research issues, which represent a starting point on the path to more comprehensive solutions for practically coping with large stocks of codified project knowledge