Appraising knowledge management perceptions among construction practitioners

Abstract

Contemporary studies have identified knowledge and its management as strategic resources within organisations. Lessons learned from the construction industry have also proved that effective generation, reusing and sharing of knowledge can enhance the outcomes of construction projects by reducing the associated costs, time of completion and improving the overall competitiveness within organisations. However, the fragmented project-based and task-oriented nature of most construction activities has often made knowledge management (KM) implementation unfeasible within the construction industry. One major challenge to KM implementation in construction organisations is the lack of systematic procedures that support the development and application of KM. Utilising semi-structured interviews, this paper examines the perceptions of KM among practitioners within the Nigerian construction industry. The key findings indicate that, even though practitioners in the Nigerian construction industry may be aware of KM and its benefits, in practice its systematic application still remains largely uncommon. The paper also highlights the need for shifts in organisational culture as a means of facilitating a more KM-conscious construction industry in Nigeria.