Knowledge Management Strategy for Construction: Key I.T. and Contextual Issues

ABSTRACT: Most business organisations often cite the staff as their greatest asset but have not appropriate mechanisms for managing the knowledge or intellectual capital that is embodied in these staff. The importance of Knowledge Management is now being realised and businesses are starting to formulate strategies and to invest in systems that will enable them to manage their corporate knowledge. This is a relatively new concept for construction organisations, which have a fundamental need to manage knowledge as they move from one project to another, working with different partners and supply chains. This paper examines the information technology (IT) and contextual issues involved in formulating an appropriate knowledge management strategy for construction firms. Basic definitions of knowledge and knowledge management are provided. Insights from ongoing research are used to discuss the context for knowledge management in construction, and the role of information technology (IT) as an enabler for knowledge management. The concluding section of the paper formulates guidelines that will enable construction organisations to more appropriately develop IT and knowledge management strategies that will enable them to improve their business performance