Conversion of Intra-Project Experience Feedback into Organisational Knowledge A Study of a Regional Office and its use of Company Guideline Documents

Abstract

During the latter half of the 20th century up until today the low productivity of Swedish contractors in the construction industry compared to manufacturing companies has become a well-known notion. Being a project-based industry, most companies in the construction industry struggle with the institutionalisation of knowledge and experience gathered in project, hence experience is lost or gathered by individuals not enhancing future project performance. The purpose of this Master’s thesis is to examine the work regarding experience feedback and the institutionalisation of knowledge of a regional office at a company acting within the construction sector, to be compared with internal guideline documents and company vision. The study is carried out using an abductive and qualitative research approach, thereby including empirics and a literature review within the Swedish construction industry. Empirical findings are then compared with theories suggested by literature and previous studies. It was concluded that the regional office reflects the Swedish construction industry in typical performance connected to experience feedback. The study showed that individuals are driven by personal gain, therefore incentives must be adapted to fit company vision for future experience feedback. Furthermore, changes have been implemented by management before, however for the institutionalisation of knowledge to take place it must be put in the centre of attention.