The Art of Knowledge Sharing Towards Construction Project Success
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24191/idealogy.v10i2.894Keywords:
Knowledge sharing, Construction industry, Project management, Malaysia, ContractorAbstract
The construction industry plays a central role in Malaysia’s development but continues to face
persistent challenges such as delays, cost overruns, and inefficiencies, many of which are linked to
fragmented knowledge management. This study addresses the first objective of a broader research
project: to identify the knowledge sharing (KS) practices employed in construction projects, with a
focus on Grade 7 contractors in Selangor. Drawing on literature and empirical evidence, eight KS
practices were examined, including face-to-face interaction, formal practices, meetings, learning
support, project briefings, phone calls, lessons learnt from previous projects, and ICT tools. A
quantitative survey design was applied, yielding 270 valid responses from project managers, engineers,
and site personnel. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, with reliability and normality
testing confirming robustness. The findings reveal that meetings, face-to-face interactions, and lessons
learnt from past projects are the most dominant KS practices, while learning support and phone calls
are less frequently utilised. ICT tools were moderately adopted, reflecting gradual digitalisation within
the sector. Overall, the results demonstrate that KS in Malaysian construction is predominantly
interpersonal and experiential, with digital mechanisms serving as complementary supports. These
insights provide empirical confirmation of the hybrid nature of KS, blending formal and informal
practices to sustain collaboration in complex project environments. The study concludes that
institutionalising a balanced mix of these approaches is critical for improving project outcomes and
enhancing the overall competitiveness of the Malaysian construction industry.
Keywords: Knowledge sharing, Construction industry, Project management, Malaysia, contractors
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