DISCUSSIONS AND CLOSURES
May 1, 2006

Prototype System for Knowledge Problem Definition

Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 132, Issue 5

Abstract

Attitudes to knowledge management (KM) have changed considerably as organizations are now realizing its benefits. Implementation, however, has been facing serious difficulties attributed either to not being able to anticipate the barriers when planning KM strategies or to using inappropriate methods and tools for implementation. These difficulties are more critical in construction due to the fragmented nature of the industry. This paper suggests that proper definition of a KM problem at the early stages of developing the KM initiatives will result in better control over the KM barriers. A methodology for identifying KM problems within a business context is then introduced. The methodology is encapsulated into a prototype software system, which facilitates its deployment in organizations and provides online help facilities. The methodology, development, operation, and evaluation of the prototype are described. The paper concludes that the prototype offers considerable potential for delivering a clarified KM problem and a distilled set of issues for an organization to address. This represents a significant first step in any KM initiative.

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References

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Information & Authors

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Published In

Go to Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 132Issue 5May 2006
Pages: 516 - 524

History

Received: Jan 24, 2002
Accepted: May 18, 2005
Published online: May 1, 2006
Published in print: May 2006

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Authors

Affiliations

Ahmed M. Al-Ghassani, M.ASCE [email protected]
Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, Al-Musanna College of Technology, P.O. Box 191, P.C. 314, Al-Muluddah, Oman. E-mail: [email protected]
John M. Kamara, M.ASCE [email protected]
Senior Lecturer, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, Univ. of Newcastle upon Tyne, 3-4 Claremont Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AE, U.K. E-mail: [email protected]
Chimay J. Anumba, M.ASCE [email protected]
Professor, Dept. of Civil and Building Engineering, Loughborough Univ., Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, U.K. E-mail: [email protected]
Patricia M. Carrillo [email protected]
Professor, Dept. of Civil and Building Engineering, Loughborough Univ., Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, U.K. E-mail: [email protected]

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