An examination of knowledge management implementation within civil engineering consulting organizations

UK construction industry trends are towards collaboration, knowledge exchange and new networks, to increase competitiveness and profitability. Knowledge management is starting to be recognized as a necessary activity to increase the competitiveness of companies within construction. The application of knowledge management within construction organizations offers the opportunity to tap into the knowledge gained from projects in a coherent fashion. It offers the opportunity of sharing, storing and developing knowledge that is often lost as projects conclude. Civil engineering consultants are facing the challenge of how to access this knowledge from projects in a structured fashion. This paper will examine how knowledge management is being developed and implemented within civil engineering consultancies. Its focus will be on how companies are developing, understanding and implementing their knowledge strategies. The central themes that emerge from this paper are that information technology and organization cultures are the key influences on knowledge development.