Knowledge Sharing in Construction Partnering - Redundancy, Boundary Objects and Brokers

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    Abstract

    This article adopts practice-based theory for understanding inter-organizational knowledge work and extends it with a discussion of the role of redundancy. In this view, a constellation of firms is a multiple configuration of communities of practices, characterized by overlapping practises, multiple memberships and different levels of participation, and accompanied by a governance frame. The paper discusses central mechanisms for coordinating knowledge in such a complex construction project. The knowledge relations are conceptualized through focusing on redundancy, understood as negotiated common assignment of meaning, brokers (e.g. design managers), boundary objects (e.g. drawings) and arenas (e.g. meetings). The paper presents an ethnographic case study of a project partnership between engineers, architects and contractors in construction using the partnering concept. The focus is on two dialogue excerpts, one on process, and one on product knowledge exchanges. The diversity and disjunctive feature of the practices form a condition of possibility for knowledge handling and synthesis into the built construct. Relation-based interaction is necessary with boundary objects and brokers, requisite redundancy and governance.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalInternational Journal of Project Organisation and Management
    Volume5
    Issue number1/2
    ISSN1740-2891
    Publication statusPublished - 2013

    Keywords

    • Engineers
    • Knowledge Management
    • Architects
    • Partnering
    • Redundancy
    • Contractors
    • construction
    • Practicebased theory

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