Knowledge Processes in Project-based Professional Services Organisations: A Framework for Analysis

摘要

Knowledge is becoming increasingly recognised as a competitive advantage of organisations. In view of the essence of knowledge, this research seeks to explore the knowledge processes that are taking place in a specific type of project-based organisation, the professional quantity surveying firm, in Hong Kong. As quantity surveying firms are characterised by their professional identity and knowledge-driven nature, knowledge is crucial to their success in the competitive and dynamic business environment. Because knowledge management is still in its infancy in the construction industry and structured knowledge management processes have probably not yet been effectively deployed in the surveying discipline, this research focuses on implicit knowledge management processes. A framework of knowledge processes was developed from a detailed literature review in an attempt to enhance the knowledge flow in quantity surveying firms. The applicability of the framework was verified by quantitative research method. A questionnaire survey was conducted to elicit the opinions of professional quantity surveyors on the details of these processes; the questionnaire was returned with a response rate of 42.6%, i.e. 111 out of 260. The findings collected in the questionnaire survey confirm six knowledge management processes in quantity surveying firms, namely acquisition, creation, storage, distribution, use and maintaining. These processes interact with one another to form a powerful tool for sustaining competitiveness. This research also reveals that awareness of knowledge management in Hong Kong professional quantity surveying firms remains low.