Knowledge transfer across different boundaries in a project environment : a case study of a Botswana mining organisation

Abstract

Effective knowledge transfer is essential in obtaining a competitive advantage. In a project environment, knowledge transfer occurs across different boundaries and involves different stakeholders — a topic much neglected in the literature. This paper explores the processes at play when knowledge is transferred across different boundaries, and then focuses on the role played by the document management system in a project management office. Results from focus group workshops and interviews indicate that the project management office plays a vital role in ensuring effective knowledge transfer, and that the roles differ at different boundaries. In the mining case study, the document management system plays a key role in knowledge transfer.Effektiewe kennisoordrag is noodsaaklik ter bereiking van ʼn mededingende voorsprong. In ʼn projek-omgewing vind kennisoordrag plaas oor verskeie grense waarby verskillende belanghebbendes betrokke is — ʼn onderwerp wat nog min aandag in die literatuur geniet. Hierdie artikel ondersoek die prosesse ter sprake wanneer kennis oor verskillende grense oorgedra word en fokus dan op die rol van die dokument hanteringstelsel in ʼn projekbestuur kantoor. Fokusgroep werkwinkels en onderhoude dui daarop dat die projekbestuur kantoor ʼn noodsaaklike rol speel in effektiewe kennisoordrag en dat die rolle by verskillende grense verskil. In die mynbou geval wat bestudeer is, speel die dokumenthanteringstelsel ʼn kern rol.