Framework to investigate knowledge sharing through social networks in Australian construction industry

The project-based settings in construction hinder the transfer of knowledge from one project to future projects. Knowledge management approaches suggest that new knowledge created within construction projects should pass to the organisation level and then be shared at the organisation level and transferred to future projects. Previous research had found that construction project knowledge is more likely to be disseminated through networks of strong informal relationships. Hence, it is important to build and maintain these strong networks within construction organisations to enable wider sharing of project knowledge. However, little is known on how such networks exist in construction organisations in Australia and how to enable these networks for effective knowledge sharing. Social network analysis provides a method of analysing network patterns. By using social network analysis, this research is aimed to identify and measure knowledge sharing networks within construction organisations using the case study research method by selecting several large construction firms operating in Sydney region in Australia. The paper reports on the initial phases of this study through a literature review and introduces the research framework that is adopted for future case studies.