A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Knowledge System Conflicts in Global Project Networks
As the design and construction industry globalizes, firms are increasingly engaged in cross-cultural project networks that must share complex knowledge efficiently for projects to succeed. When complex design work is outsourced to international firms, researchers have shown that boundaries are created due to national cultural differences which can hinder effective knowledge transfer and reduce collaboration effectiveness. It is across these boundaries that knowledge system conflicts can occur. In this paper we longitudinally observe three complex engineering projects each involving a design firm in North America outsourcing a significant portion of the design work to an international engineering firm. Analyzing empirical interview data, collaboration meetings and project documentation we develop a model of knowledge system conflict emergence. We find these conflicts to arise in the initial stages of design collaboration. We classify the knowledge system conflicts into four categories; (1) linguistic, (2) scope of work, (3) work process, and (4) local knowledge. Understanding the emergence and typology of knowledge system conflicts that can occur on global projects can enable project managers to improve collaboration effectiveness on global projects.
Knowledge System Conflicts in Global Project Networks
As the design and construction industry globalizes, firms are increasingly engaged in cross-cultural project networks that must share complex knowledge efficiently for projects to succeed. When complex design work is outsourced to international firms, researchers have shown that boundaries are created due to national cultural differences which can hinder effective knowledge transfer and reduce collaboration effectiveness. It is across these boundaries that knowledge system conflicts can occur. In this paper we longitudinally observe three complex engineering projects each involving a design firm in North America outsourcing a significant portion of the design work to an international engineering firm. Analyzing empirical interview data, collaboration meetings and project documentation we develop a model of knowledge system conflict emergence. We find these conflicts to arise in the initial stages of design collaboration. We classify the knowledge system conflicts into four categories; (1) linguistic, (2) scope of work, (3) work process, and (4) local knowledge. Understanding the emergence and typology of knowledge system conflicts that can occur on global projects can enable project managers to improve collaboration effectiveness on global projects.
Knowledge System Conflicts in Global Project Networks
Di Marco, Melissa (author) / Taylor, J. E. (author)
Construction Research Congress 2010 ; 2010 ; Banff, Alberta, Canada
Construction Research Congress 2010 ; 768-777
2010-05-04
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
Knowledge System Conflicts in Global Project Networks
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