Evaluating the Knowledge Management Practices of Construction Firms in Pakistan

Abstract

Knowledge management is considered as a tool to develop performance with many academic and experts including improved processes, better time management, decision making, project delivery methods, quality and cost management etc. Unfortunately, knowledge management implementation is retarded because of various conflicting assumptions of knowledge management and different tools considered by users. Due to these contradicting understandings of knowledge management and a lack of awareness about information management, confusion within industry was further increased. Past stories on knowledge management are occupied with the differences between knowledge, information and data. Now it has been accepted that companies required a mixture of all these. Knowledge management is basically the knowledge identification and optimization of knowledge which is carried out to create value, enhance efficiency and achieve benefits. In Pakistan, the studies on Knowledge Management in construction sector are not very common. This thesis highlights perceptions of Pakistani construction industry with regard of Knowledge management. The main objective was to find out the effectiveness, strategies, tools/ techniques and emerging issues with regard of knowledge management in Pakistani construction industry. The methodology was two dimensional. This was based upon a general questionnaire survey and a case study of a client organization. In first dimension of the research work, the questionnaire was designed based upon research variables for to get general perception of Knowledge management including awareness/commitment, strategies and tools/ technique. The questionnaire survey was carried out among different Stakeholders of Pakistani construction industry which include designers/engineers, contractors/sub-contractor and consultants/facility owners. The data, which was collected from participants, was analyzed by executing different statistical tests to make conclusions. In second dimension of the research work, one client organization was targeted to evaluate the emerging issues of knowledge management in Pakistani construction industry. For general data collection, separate questionnaire was developed which was distributed among the employees of case study organization while main case study was based upon interviews of senior management staff. Results of general questionnaire indicated that there is good awareness about managing knowledge among the construction industry stakeholders. Respondents have perceptions that knowledge management is not just record keeping but a complete system of capturing, storing, codifying and reuse of knowledge at right time. It reduces delivery time and improves quality of works. People fear to share knowledge is fond big hindrance for effective implementation of knowledge management system. To remove fear factor, a cultural change is required to improve local understating about knowledge management. For managing knowledge E-mail was considered most effective tool which is quickly replacing the old system of information delivery. Departmental managers are considered ultimate responsible of knowledge management in Pakistani construction industry.