KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES: THE CASE OF HAWASSA CITY

Abstract

Knowledge management is a process that transforms individual knowledge into organizational knowledge. The research aimed at assessing the practice of knowledge management, investigate barriers in implementing the system, develop a framework to efficiently practice KM in construction companies of Hawassa city. Although KM is a relatively new and emerging discipline, it has shown its value and promise in existing applications in the construction industry. A holistic KM framework was developed to set the overall context for managing knowledge in construction companies by outlining the main aims and outcomes of managing knowledge, the key knowledge activities, effective KM strategies and instruments, and KM enablers. The sampling frame considered for the study included stakeholders like contractors, consultants, and professional associations. Primary data is obtained from four case studies and questionnaires and interviews conducted from different stakeholders of the construction projects in Hawassa. After that findings are carried out from collected data analysis. Using the result of the analysis found, recommendations and conclusions were drawn. As this study is empirical, secondary data is obtained from reference books and related documents through a literature review. A triangulation of questionnaire survey, semi-structured interviews, and case studies were employed in this research to collect required qualitative and quantitative data. Therefore, the study reveals the shortcomings of the current KM components practices in these selected construction companies for their better efficiency and success of projects. The small level of awareness and acceptance of the concept and practice of knowledge management by the professionals of these construction companies is regarded as a prospect by this research. Besides, owing to the lack of an overall knowledge management policy or strategy, different organizations pursue the practice of knowledge management factors in their way, with some of them barely making use of the knowledge management component system portal. This situation calls for organizational efforts to reinforce the practice of knowledge management by formulating comprehensive knowledge management policy/strategy compatible with organizational strategy, enhance the level of employee awareness regarding the concepts and benefits of knowledge management, implement formal knowledge management means that improves company’s performance