Karin Färnevik

UniversityChalmers University of Technology
Department
Division
KeywordsKunskapsutbyte, mäklare/brokers, pilotprojekt, tid, energieffektivisering av byggnader, projekt, fallstudie, Knowledge sharing, brokers, pilot projects, time, energy efficiency of buildings, project based settings, case study

Website Chalmers University of Technology, in Swedish chalmersprofessional.se/sv/content/karin-farnevik
Networks/thematic areasUrban research (previously Urban Research Network)
SDG:s
Regions
Country

Reasearch / work
In a separated processes according to professional functions, the ambition of becoming sustainable calls for collective innovation through collaboration. For this to happen, learning and the sharing of knowledge between professional groups and organisational entities needs to be improved in project-based contexts. Knowledge in the construction industry largely exists in its tacit form and is based on individuals' experiences and perceptions of the world. This knowledge is therefore bounded in their every day practice. My research has so far been focused on knowledge management in the construction industry, more precisely on the actual practices of sharing knowledge. My thesis explored the factors influencing knowledge sharing across organisational entities and professional groups in construction. The community of practice conceptual framework was used to explore how knowledge was created and shared in the social practices of this industry. The thesis was based on three case studies covering different organisational and project environments addressing the challenge of energy efficiency of buildings. Results showed that brokering was needed to create opportunities for professional groups and organisational entities to communicate and share knowledge. The most fertile environments for knowledge sharing were found in pilot projects, where resources like time and funding helped create the necessary space for knowledge sharing to take place. These findings contribute to a better understanding of how knowledge is created and disseminated in practice in construction. The study as a whole contributed empirically and theoretically to the current general debate on management of knowledge.