Integrating research and teaching in higher education: Conceptual issues

Integrating new knowledge created through research with teaching has become an important area that needs prompt attention with the growing emphasis on student learning activities, quality assurance procedures and research funding mechanisms within the UK higher education system. The link between research and teaching is not automatic. Thus, it needs to be created in higher education departments in order to achieve a productive relationship and manage research activities of university staff with teaching duties. The research study, on which this paper is based on, aims to develop principles in relation to transferring research knowledge into teaching through a literature review and case studies. The paper reports conceptual issues related to such a transfer process based on the literature findings

Academic research in emerging knowledge-based economies : the case of Sri Lankan construction industry

Purpose Knowledge-based economies are popular in the present world. Simultaneously, universities are becoming more responsible for leading economic development through research. As a key contributor to the national economy, it is vital for the construction industry to move beyond outdated practices, and hence, reviewing the role of academic research in empowering construction industry with knowledge is essential. This paper focuses on how relevant theories conceptualise the expected role of academic research in the innovative development of an industry and the specific location in Sri Lankan construction industry. Design/methodology/approach Following a comprehensive literature review, empirical data were collected from Sri Lankan context with a mixed approach informed by a pragmatist philosophical stance. The perspective of academia and industry practitioners were deductively obtained through surveys and inductively explored through qualitative interviews. Findings This study provides evidence that academic research in Sri Lanka does not contribute effectively to innovative construction management. Due to the absence of industry-focused knowledge dissemination strategies, the academic-industry relationships are mostly non-research based. The industry lacks in research informed-decision making, leading to lesser innovations. Research limitations/implications The research conclusions are more applicable to the developing-country construction industry contexts. Practical implications The research urges the need for improved academic-industry research collaborations and strategic knowledge dissemination movements. Originality/value The research confirms academic research as a major integral part of developing construction industry in a knowledge-based economy. In establishing the expected role of academic research, the research revealed the current practice to be under-located. Hence, the research prescribes the necessary actions; research collaborations in major and subsequent requirements. Keywords – Academic research, Construction management, Innovation theories, Knowledge-based economies, Knowledge dissemination, Knowledge utilisation, Research collaboration

Role of knowledge in managing construction project change

Purpose – Unplanned changes in construction projects are common and lead to disruptive effects such as project delays, cost overruns and quality deviations. Rework due to unplanned changes can cost 10-15 per cent of contract value. By managing these changes more effectively, these disruptive effects can be minimised. Previous research has approached this problem from an information-processing view. In this knowledge age, the purpose of this paper is to argue that effective change management can be brought about by better understanding the significant role of knowledge during change situations. Design/methodology/approach – Within this knowledge-based context, the question of how construction project teams manage knowledge during unplanned change in the construction phase within collaborative team settings is investigated through a selected case study sample within the UK construction industry. Findings – Case study findings conclude that different forms of knowledge are created and shared between project team members during change events which is very much socially constructed and centred on tacit knowledge and experience of project personnel. Originality/value – Building on the case study findings the paper finally offers a model that represents the role of knowledge during managing project change

A tool for effective transferring of knowledge and technology in contracting organizations

The project-based nature of contracting organizations creates a learning opportunity from most of its activities. Although knowledge helps to gain valuable experience from construction projects, due to its complex and unique nature, organizations do not systematically secure knowledge for later usage. Due to that, contracting organizations create significant discontinuities in flows of knowledge within members, tasks and tools. Therefore, for contracting organizations to make the use of its knowledge, a mechanism for managing knowledge has to exist. That mechanism should include efficient transferring of knowledge throughout the organization. Such transferring can occur through the organization’s various activities and organizations stand to benefit if these activities are done strategically not only to acquire, but also to share and transfer knowledge and ultimately enhance performance. Today, the construction industry is moving towards sustainable solutions for projects. Therefore, necessity of knowledge transferring mechanism has become much more important than ever. The study has henceforth analyzed the knowledge transfer process of contracting organizations in Sri Lanka and explored how these organizations facilitate transfer of knowledge. Three contracting organizations were selected among C1 contractors in Sri Lanka for this case study and the research problem was examined through semi-structured interviews of the key participants of the organizations. The analyses from findings support the propositions set forth in the study: the importance of the knowledge transfer process in contracting organizations, the situational nature of the knowledge being transferred, effects, barriers and measures for its effectiveness for knowledge transfer initiatives. In effect, the study builds a knowledge transfer process reflected in contracting organizations in Sri Lanka by mapping case study findings to the conceptual model and a model for sustainable business process of contracting organizations. Recommendations for contracting organizations at policy and functional level are made based on the findings. Fundamentally, contracting organizations should adapt knowledge transfer process to its organizational strategy to achieve success in their business through sustainable solution