Tacit knowledge generation and utilisation in the construction industry

The importance of knowledge as a key determinant of organisational
competitiveness and better performance is increasingly appreciated by both
academics and practitioners. However, the concept of tacit knowledge still lacks
sufficient attention within the construction industry, despite the fact that proper
understanding and management of this resource is of immense importance for
the achievement of better organisational performance. As the initial step
towards the management of tacit knowledge, this paper examines the factors
affecting tacit knowledge generation and utilisation in the construction industry.
The study integrates theories of experiential learning, cognitive science and
knowledge creation, in order to articulate the process of tacit knowledge
generation and utilisation. The exploratory phase of the case study identified
several factors affecting tacit knowledge generation and utilisation in an
organisational context in terms of Individual level: Intra-personal drivers;
Group level: Inter-personal drivers; and Organisational level: Situational drivers.