AN ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STRATEGIES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF PROJECT TEAMS IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA

Authors

  • Joseph Maruti Mwicha Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
  • Dr. Assumpta Kagiri Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Keywords:

Knowledge Transfer Strategies, Performance of Project Teams

Abstract

Purpose: Knowledge management is still in its infancy in comparison with other bodies of management thought. It has had some notable success as well as much failure, and still has a long way to go in developing standardized and proven models and methods. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of knowledge transfer strategies on the performance of project teams in in Nairobi City County, Kenya.

Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive survey research design, targeting the 54 small and medium sized organizations that carry out construction projects in Nairobi City County. The study used primary data which was collected using structured questionnaires. Secondary data was obtained by reviewing literature related to the study. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23 was used in analyzing the data. The study used both descriptive and inferential statistics in data analysis. Descriptive statistics involved the use of means, frequencies and standard deviations. Correlation and regression analysis were used to determine the strength and directions of the relationships between the variables. Presentation of data was done using graphs and tables.

Results: The study found that mentoring had a strong significant relationship with project team performance, r = .649, p < .000. The study also found that exit interviews had a moderate significant influence on project team performance, r = .483, p < .000. The study found a strong significant influence of communities of practice on project team performance, r = .751, p < .000. A moderate relationship was also determined between after-action reviews and project team performance, r = .314, p < .003.

Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Further, after-action reviews were done through continuous review of targets, review of achievements and required changes within project and also undertaking training in weak areas. The study recommends use of these techniques as reciprocal mentoring in all organizations that can help the organizations managers and employees to mutually benefit from each other. Also, the organizations need to invest in feedback and insight gathering especially when employees leave a project, as their ideas can be used to improve the performance of the project team, and other project teams in the future.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Joseph Maruti Mwicha, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Post Graduate Student:

Dr. Assumpta Kagiri, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Lecturer

References

Ajmal, M., Helo, P., & Kekale, T. (2010). Critical factors for knowledge management in project business. Journal of knowledge management, 14(1), 156-168.
Akgun, A. E., Keskin, H., Ayar, H., & Okunakol, Z. (2017). Knowledge sharing barriers in software development teams: A multiple case study in Turkey. Kybernetes, 46(4), 603-620.
Allen, D. G., & Shanock, L. R. (2013). Perceived organizational support and embeddedness as key mechanisms connecting socialization tactics to commitment and turnover among new employees. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 34(3), 350-369.
Baggio, R., & Cooper, C. (2010). Knowledge transfer in a tourism destination: the effects of a network structure. The Service Industries Journal, 30(10), 1757-1771.
Berry, A. J., Broadbent, J., & Otley, D. T. (Eds.). (2016). Management control: theories, issues and practices. Macmillan International Higher Education.
Boivie, S., Graffin, S. D., & Pollock, T. G. (2012). Time for me to fly: predicting director exit at large firms. Academy of Management Journal, 55(6), 1334-1359.
Bratianu, C., & Leon, R. D. (2015). Strategies to enhance intergenerational learning and reducing knowledge loss: An empirical study of universities. Vine, 45(4), 551-567.
Bryman, A., & Bell, E. (2015). Business research methods. Oxford University Press, USA.
Cook, K. S., Cheshire, C., Rice, E. R., & Nakagawa, S. (2013). Social exchange theory. In Handbook of social psychology(pp. 61-88). Springer, Dordrecht.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications.
Cristina, D. (2015). Emerging Labor Force and Specific HR Retention Approach in the Organization's Competitive Advantage Outline. Ovidius University Annals, Series Economic Sciences, 15(1), 16-22.
Deacon, A., & Hodgkinson, C. (2013, June). Cultivating learning design thinking with e-portfolios in a Master's course. In Proceedings of the International Conference on e-Learning (pp. 116-124).
DeConinck, J. B. (2010). The effect of organizational justice, perceived organizational support, and perceived supervisor support on marketing employees' level of trust. Journal of Business Research, 63(12), 1349-1355.
Donate, M. J., & Pablo, J. D. (2015). The role of knowledge-oriented leadership in knowledge management practices and innovation. Journal of Business Research, 68(2), 360-370.
Doyle, J. C., Francis, B. A., & Tannenbaum, A. R. (2013). Feedback control theory. Courier Corporation.
Egeland, I. (2017). Knowledge retention in organizations. A literature review and case study exploring how organizations can transfer and retain knowledge to mitigate knowledge loss when older employees retire (Master's thesis, University of Stavanger, Norway).
Eriksson, P. E., & Westerberg, M. (2011). Effects of cooperative procurement procedures on construction project performance: A conceptual framework. International journal of project management, 29(2), 197-208.
Franklin, C. A., Franklin, T. W., Nobles, M. R., & Kercher, G. A. (2012). Assessing the effect of routine activity theory and self-control on property, personal, and sexual assault victimization. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 39(10), 1296-1315.
Garg, G., & Kothari, C. R. (2014). Research Methodology. Methods and Techniques. New Age International Publishers. New Delhi. India.
Gharaibeh, H. (2011). Improving Project Team Learning in Major Projects--A Case Study Comparison. E Journal of Organizational Learning & Leadership, 9(2), 12-22.
Gherardi, S. (2011). Organizational learning: The sociology of practice. Handbook of organizational learning and knowledge management, 2(1), 43-65.
Griffiths, K., Birdi, K., Alsina, V., Andrei, D., Baban, A., Bayeral, P. S., ... & Gruschinske, M. (2016). Knowledge sharing practices and issues in policing contexts: a systematic review of the literature. European Journal of Policing Studies, 3(3), 267-291.
Harter, J. K., Schmidt, F. L., Agrawal, S., & Plowman, S. K. (2013). The relationship between engagement at work and organizational outcomes. Gallup Poll Consulting University Press, Washington.
Harvey, J. F. (2012). Managing organizational memory with intergenerational knowledge transfer. Journal of Knowledge Management, 16(3), 400-417.
Hennessy, S., Onguko, B., Harrison, D., Ang'ondi, E. K., Namalefe, S., Naseem, A., & Wamakote, L. (2010). Developing the use of information and communication technology to enhance teaching and learning in East African schools: Review of the literature. Centre for Commonwealth Education & Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development-Eastern Africa Research Report, 1.
Hobohm, H. C. (Ed.). (2011). Knowledge management: Libraries and librarians taking up the challenge (Vol. 108). Walter de Gruyter.
Hogan, S. J., & Coote, L. V. (2014). Organizational culture, innovation, and performance: A test of Schein's model. Journal of Business Research, 67(8), 1609-1621.
Huber, G. P., & Lewis, K. (2010). Cross-understanding: Implications for group cognition and performance. Academy of Management Review, 35(1), 6-26.
Hughes, J., Jewson, N., & Unwin, L. (Eds.). (2013). Communities of practice: Critical perspectives. Routledge. Abingdon: UK.
Jugdev, K. (2012). Learning from lessons learned: Project management research program. American Journal of Economics and Business Administration, 4(1), 13-26.
Keegan, A., Ringhofer, C., & Huemann, M. (2018). Human resource management and project based organizing: Fertile ground, missed opportunities and prospects for closer connections. International Journal of Project Management, 36(1), 121-133.
Kirk, D. E. (2012). Optimal control theory: an introduction. Courier Corporation.
Krasny, M. E., & Roth, W. M. (2010). Environmental education for social-ecological system resilience: a perspective from activity theory. Environmental Education Research, 16(5-6), 545-558.
Lavrakas, P. J. (2008). Encyclopedia of survey research methods. Sage Publications.
Lee, J., Mohamad, O., & Ramayah, T. (2010). Outsourcing: Is the social exchange theory still relevant in developing fries?. Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, 4(4), 316-345.
Levy, M. (2011). Knowledge retention: minimizing organizational business loss. Journal of Knowledge Management, 15(4), 582-600.
Liebowitz, J. (2016). Beyond knowledge management: What every leader should know. Auerbach Publications.
Lindner, F., & Wald, A. (2011). Success factors of knowledge management in temporary organizations. International Journal of project management, 29(7), 877-888.
Liu, S., Moizer, J., Megicks, P., Kasturiratne, D., & Jayawickrama, U. (2014). A knowledge chain management framework to support integrated decisions in global supply chains. Production Planning & Control, 25(8), 639-649.
MacLennan, N. (2017). Coaching and mentoring. Routledge Publications. Abingdon: United Kingdom.
Malhotra, D., & Lumineau, F. (2011). Trust and collaboration in the aftermath of conflict: The effects of contract structure. Academy of Management Journal, 54(5), 981-998.
Massingham, P. (2014). An evaluation of knowledge management tools: Part 1-managing knowledge resources. Journal of Knowledge Management, 18(6), 1075-1100.
Matzler, K., Renzl, B., Mooradian, T., von Krogh, G., & Mueller, J. (2011). Personality traits, affective commitment, documentation of knowledge, and knowledge sharing. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 22(02), 296-310.
Maxwell, J. A. (2012). Qualitative research design: An interactive approach (Vol. 41). Sage publications.
McKnight, D. H., Carter, M., Thatcher, J. B., & Clay, P. F. (2011). Trust in a specific technology: An investigation of its components and measures. ACM Transactions on Management Information Systems (TMIS), 2(2), 12-22.
Meyerhoff, M., & Strycharz, A. (2013). Communities of practice. The handbook of language variation and change, 1(2), 428-447.
Misztal, B. (2013). Trust in modern societies: The search for the bases of social order. John Wiley & Sons.
Morgan, N. A. (2012). Marketing and business performance. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 40(1), 102-119.
Mosoti, Z., & Masheka, B. (2010). Knowledge management: the case for Kenya. Journal of Language, Technology & Entrepreneurship in Africa, 2(1), 107-133.
Mugenda, A. G. (2008). Social Science research: Theory and practice. Nairobi: Applied Research and Training Services.
Ndwandwe, S. C., & Onyancha, O. B. (2011). Job functions and requirements for knowledge managers: lessons for Library and Information Science (LIS) schools in South Africa. Mousaion, 29(2), 211-226.
Ngulube, P., & Dube, L. (2012). Knowledge sharing in a multicultural environment: challenges and opportunities. South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science, 78(1), 68-77.
Nick, J. M., Delahoyde, T. M., Del Prato, D., Mitchell, C., Ortiz, J., Ottley, C., ... & Siktberg, L. (2012). Best practices in academic mentoring: A model for excellence. Nursing research and practice, USA.
Osei-Bryson, K. M., Mansingh, G., & Rao, L. (2014). Understanding and applying knowledge management and knowledge management systems in developing fries: Some conceptual foundations. In Knowledge Management for Development (pp. 1-15). Springer, Boston, MA.
Owino, E. O., Cosmas, K. C., & Jagongo, A. (2012). Institutionalization of knowledge management in manufacturing enterprises in Kenya: A case of selected enterprises. University of Nairobi.
Pavan, G. K., & Kulkarni, N. (2014). Research methodology. International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, 3(7), 23-31.
Piwowar, H. A., & Chapman, W. W. (2010). Public sharing of research datasets: A pilot study of associations. Journal of informetrics, 4(2), 148-156.
Ramadan, B. M., Dahiyat, S. E., Bontis, N., & Al-Dalahmeh, M. A. (2017). Intellectual capital, knowledge management and social capital within the ICT sector in Jordan. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 18(2), 437-462.
Ramasamy, M., & Thamaraiselvan, N. (2011). Knowledge sharing and organizational citizenship behavior. Knowledge and Process Management, 18(4), 278-284.
Robinson, C. J., & Wallington, T. J. (2012). Boundary work: engaging knowledge systems in co-management of feral animals on Indigenous lands. Ecology and Society, 17(2), 1-11.
Sallis, E. (2014). Total quality management in education. Routledge Pulications. Abingdon: United Kingdom.
Sannino, A. (2011). Activity theory as an activist and interventionist theory. Theory & Psychology, 21(5), 571-597.
Sawyer, T. L., & Deering, S. (2013). Adaptation of the US Army's after-action review for simulation debriefing in healthcare. Simulation in Healthcare, 8(6), 388-397.
Schwartz, J. D., & Rivera, D. E. (2010). A process control approach to tactical inventory management in production-inventory systems. International Journal of Production Economics, 125(1), 111-124.
Serrat, O. (2017). Coaching and mentoring. In Knowledge Solutions (pp. 897-902). Springer, Singapore.
Sivasubramanian, S. (2016). Process Model for Knowledge Management (Doctoral dissertation, Carnegie Mellon University).
Swan, J., Scarbrough, H., & Newell, S. (2010). Why don't (or do) organizations learn from projects?. Management Learning, 41(3), 325-344.
Tannenbaum, S. I., & Cerasoli, C. P. (2013). Do team and individual debriefs enhance performance? A meta-analysis. Human factors, 55(1), 231-245.
Teo, T. S., & Bhattacherjee, A. (2014). Knowledge transfer and utilization in IT outsourcing partnerships: A preliminary model of antecedents and outcomes. Information & Management, 51(2), 177-186.
Tohidinia, Z., & Mosakhani, M. (2010). Knowledge sharing behaviour and its predictors. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 110(4), 611-631.
Tseng, S. M. (2016). The effect of knowledge management capability and customer knowledge gaps on corporate performance. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 29(1), 51-71.
Valtakoski, A. (2017). Explaining servitization failure and deservitization: A knowledge-based perspective. Industrial Marketing Management, 60, 138-150.
Villado, A. J., & Arthur, W. (2013). The comparative effect of subjective and objective after-action reviews on team performance on a complex task. Journal of Applied Psychology, 98(3), 514-522.
Wang, S., & Noe, R. A. (2010). Knowledge sharing: A review and directions for future research. Human resource management review, 20(2), 115-131.
Wenger, E. (2011). Communities of practice: A brief introduction. Sage Publications. New York: USA.
Yang, J. T., Wan, C. S., & Fu, Y. J. (2012). Qualitative examination of employee turnover and retention strategies in international tourist hotels in Taiwan. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 31(3), 837-848.
Yayavaram, S., Srivastava, M. K., & Sarkar, M. B. (2018). Role of search for domain knowledge and architectural knowledge in alliance partner selection. Strategic Management Journal, 39(8), 2277-2302.
Yusuf, M. M., & Wanjau, K. (2014). Factors affecting implementation of knowledge management practices in state corporations in the national treasury in Kenya. Journal of management technology, 2(1), 45-54.

Downloads

Published

2019-05-29

How to Cite

Mwicha, J. M., & Kagiri, D. A. (2019). AN ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STRATEGIES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF PROJECT TEAMS IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Project Management, 4(2), 14 – 38. Retrieved from https://iprjb.org/journals/index.php/IJEPM/article/view/901

Issue

Section

Articles