Reflecting on 10 years of focus on innovation, organisational learning and knowledge management literature in a construction project management context

Abstract

Purpose This paper provides a brief critical analysis of how the focus on innovation diffusion, organisational learning and knowledge management has developed with an emphasis on the 2005-2015 period. The purpose of this paper is to provide a recent historic perspective on these concepts and suggest an integrated future focus for this research. Design/methodology/approach The paper identifies trends in how knowledge and learning is associated with innovation and experience based on a literature review. Findings The study of organisational learning and the management of knowledge and innovation diffusion is well-established in the construction and project management domains with two strongly emerging intertwined foci. On one hand, there has been a significant growing focus on learning through collaboration and the value of being a reflective practitioner. On the other hand, the exponential growth in the power of computing has led to “Big Data” reappearing to redefine data and information into pseudo-knowledge that is “blurring” the boundary of data, information and knowledge. Increasingly, we are likely to see effective innovation through more practical blending of these foci. Originality/value This provides a reflection on changing perspectives, on human and machine learning and knowledge management that may have a profound impact on future research themes.