An exploration of knowledge articulation in teams within project-based organisations

Hamill Cunnane, Geraldine (2023) An exploration of knowledge articulation in teams within project-based organisations. Doctoral thesis, SETU Waterford.

Text Final_Thesis_Geraldine_Hamill_Cunnane 5 Sept 23.pdf Download (2MB)

Abstract

Articulation is considered central in the conversion of tacit to explicit knowledge during knowledge sharing. However, existing literature provides limited insights into how knowledge articulation takes place and the types of mechanisms used to help convert tacit into explicit knowledge. This Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) study explores knowledge sharing and articulation in project teams in a Project-Based Organisation (PBO). It aims to understand the articulation process, focusing on the mechanisms used during the articulation process. This study is exploratory and seeks to understand the research aim through the lens of the externalisation mode of Nonaka’s (1994) knowledge creation theory. The research design employed is qualitative: 26 interviewees were conducted with project team members and documentation relevant to the organisational context and knowledge sharing were reviewed. The study finds that the context surrounding how explicit knowledge is shared is different from how tacit knowledge is shared. Explicit knowledge sharing takes place within formal structures implemented by upper management. Tacit knowledge sharing takes place informally and occurs naturally and frequently, among the team members. There was evidence that knowledge articulation is influenced by the willingness of the team members to articulate their knowledge to other team members. It was also found that team members use articulation mechanisms which are most convenient to them, at that point in time, rather that the most appropriate mechanisms, to articulate their personal tacit knowledge to other team members. Synthesising the findings two frameworks are developed illustrating the context surrounding the sharing of tacit and explicit and more importantly the nuances of the knowledge articulation process in project teams.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Project-based organisations, Knowledge management
Departments or Groups:	*NONE OF THESE*
Divisions:	School of Business > Department of Management and Organization
Depositing User:	Derek Langford
Date Deposited:	26 Sep 2023 15:06
Last Modified:	26 Sep 2023 15:06
URI:	https://repository.wit.ie/id/eprint/7741

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