Information and Communication Technology as a Project Knowledge Management-­tool and its Effect on the Final Offering : A Case Study with an Employee Perspective

Knowledge management can be a source of competitive advantage if implemented correctly. In today’s global business environment, project-based organizations are becoming more common. The implementation of project knowledge management is especially important for project-based organizations, which face particular obstacles in a competitive international market. Previous research has shown that there are several success factors critical for project knowledge management. Information and communication technology is identified as one of the success factors by several researchers. The purpose of this thesis is to provide a better understanding of how to best capitalize on the use of an information and communication-tool within Project Knowledge Management. The first research question concerns how the employees of an organization perceive the effect an information and communication-tool has on the final offering. The term “final offering” is used when referring to both the product and service offered by a company. The second research question in this study regards what entice employees to use an information and communication-tool. This bachelor thesis aims to fulfill the purpose by conducting a qualitative study. The study has a deductive approach and the research strategy chosen is a case study. Interviews among employees of a Swedish project-based company were conducted in order to provide answers to the stated research questions. The data gathered for the study showed that employees perceive the use of an information and communication-tool to affect the final offering positively, facilitating customer interactions. The data further reveals that the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness are main factors affecting participation and use of an information and communication-tool. Consequently, this study can be of use for managers implementing a PKM-initiative.Validerat; 20160621 (global_studentproject_submitter