The Development of an Integrated Knowledge Management Model for Construction

Knowledge management (KM) is now recognized for its potential to bring considerable gains to construction organizations, their projects and individual workers through social and technological interventions. There is however, a paucity of empirical research in this area, and furthermore a lack of integrated KM models in the literature. Continuing research into KM in the Irish construction industry is presented, where a range of methods have been utilized to address issues relating to KM within the leading Irish construction companies. Current approaches to managing knowledge within these companies and an assessment of the potential for a more formal approach to KM are considered. A number of these companies are engaged in Engineers Ireland’s (EI) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accreditation scheme and are finding it difficult to understand the concept of KM, which is a criterion for accreditation. It is now proposed to engage further with these companies, and through a grounded theory approach, develop an integrated theoretical model for KM which is both pragmatically useful and credible, bridging the gap between theory and practice. Based on the developed model, a key objective of the research will be to develop guidance and training which will be endorsed by EI and assist Irish construction firms in understanding KM, achieving CPD accreditation and improving performance. It is also anticipated that the research will foster closer links between industry, academia and professional bodies in addressing the poor levels of collaborative research and innovation within the Irish construction industry.