Abstract

The accelerating pace of digitization within the telecommunications industry has led to a substantial increase in IT project initiatives, placing a greater emphasis on effective knowledge management (KM) as a key driver of project success. KM is instrumental in fostering operational efficiency, innovation, and continuous improvement. Despite its critical importance, many IT projects encounter significant barriers to the adoption and integration of KM practices. This study explores KM practices in IT project environments, with a particular focus on the Telecom industry in Sri Lanka. Employing a structured questionnaire administered to project managers, the research identifies key impediments to KM implementation. The findings indicate that time constraints are the primary challenge, hindering the systematic capture and transfer of knowledge. This limitation, in turn, restricts access to the tacit expertise of experienced professionals, diminishing opportunities for organizational learning and capability development. Moreover, the study emphasizes the necessity of articulating a clear role for KM within IT project governance to support informed decision-making, enhance team collaboration, and ensure sustainable project outcomes. The insights presented advocate for the development of context-specific KM frameworks tailored to the telecommunications sector, aimed at safeguarding institutional knowledge and enabling innovation in future project cycles.

References

• Alavi, M., and Leidner, D.E. (2001). Review: Knowledge Management and Knowledge Management Systems: Conceptual Foundations and Research Issues. MIS Quarterly. 25(1),107–136.
• Atkinson, R., Crawford, L., & Ward, S. (2006). Fundamental uncertainties in projects and the scope of project management. International Journal of Project Management, 2006. 24,687–698.
• Barclay, C. (2010). Knowledge management practices in IT projects: an exploratory assessment of the state of affairs in the Caribbean. Paper presented at PMI® Research Conference: Defining the Future of Project Management, Washington, DC. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.
• Borowiecki, R. and Siuta-Tokarska, B. (2013). Challenges and Problems of Knowledge Management in Enterprises in Poland. China-USA Business Review, ISSN 1537-1514. February 2013, Vol. 12, No. 2, 149-162
• Cadle, J. and Yeates, D. ( 2008). Project Management for Information Systems. 5th Edition. Fifth edition published 2008.
• Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
• Conroy, G. and Soltan, H. (1998). ConSERV, as a continual audit concept to provide traceability and accountability over the project life cycle. International Journal of Project Management, 16(3),185–197.
• Guminsk, A., ( 2023 ), Knowledge management challenges in projects in building and construction sector. Silesian University of Technology Publishing House.Gliwice; adam.guminski@polsl.pl, ORCID: 0000-0001-8250-7101
• Hackman, J. K., Agyekum, K. and Smith, M. (2017). Knowledge management implementation challenges in construction projects. Journal of Engineering and Management, 33(3), 77–89.
• Hansen, M.T., Nohria, N., & Tierney, T. (1999). What's your Strategy for Managing Knowledge? Harvard Business Review, 77(2),106–116.
• Israel G. D (1992), Determining Sample Size. University of Florida, November.
• Jayasuriya, N., and Medis, A. 2019. Impact of individual motivation factors and capabilities on knowledge capturing and sharing in IT projects: A review on conceptual and practice perspectives. SSRG International Journal of Economics and Management Studies (SSRG-IJEMS), 6(6), pp. 13-17.
• Karunanayake, K.P.A.N., Fernando, M.L.S.S. and Kulatunga, U., 2022. Knowledge management practices to minimize the impact of staff turnover. In: Sandanayake, Y.G., Gunatilake, S. and Waidyasekara, K.G.A.S. (eds). Proceedings of the 10th World Construction Symposium, 24-26 June 2022, Sri Lanka. [Online]. pp. 612-624. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31705/WCS.2022.49. Available from: https://ciobwcs.com/2022-papers
• Kasvi, J.J.J., Vartiainen, M., & Hailikari, M. (2003). Managing knowledge and knowledge competences in projects and project organisations. International Journal of Project Management, 21(8),571–582.
• Love, P. E. D., Fong, P. S. W. and Irani, Z. (2005). Management of Knowledge in Project Environments. Elsevier Butterworth. Heinemann, Linacre House, Jordan Hill, Oxford.
• Nor., N. M., Khairi, S. M.M., Rosnan, H., Maskun, R. and Johar, E. J., (2020). Establishing a knowledge-based organization: Lesson learnt and KM challenges in Malaysian organization. Innovation & Management Review, ISSN 2515-8961, Emerald, Bingley, Vol. 17, Iss. 3, pp. 235-249, https://doi.org/10.1108/INMR-05-2019-0065y
• Onions, P.E.W. (2008), "Projects in the Knowledge Economy", 9th European Conference on Knowledge Management (ECKM 2008), Southampton Solent University, Southampton, UK, 4-5 September
• Reich, B. H., (2007). Managing Knowledge and Learning in IT Projects: A Conceptual Framework and Guidelines for Practice, Project Management Journal, 38(2), 5–17
• Reich, B. H., Gemino, A. & Sauer, C. (2012). Knowledge Management and Project-based knowledge in IT projects: A model and preliminary empirical results. International Journal of Project Management, 30(6), August 2012, pp 663-674. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2011.12.003.
• Robinson, H. S., Carrillo, P. M., Anumba, C. J., and Al-Ghassani, A. M. (2005), Knowledge Management Practices in Large Construction Organizations. Engineering Construction & Architectural Management · October 2005. DOI: 10.1108/09699980510627135 · Source: OAI : https://www.researchgate.net/publication/48352258
• Schindler, M., and Eppler, M.J. 2003. Harvesting project knowledge: Review of project learning methods and success factors. International Journal of Project Management, 21(3), pp. 219-228.
• Silvestro, A. R., Althof, R. B., Varvakis, G. J. and Santos, N. D., ( 2022), Challenges in implementing organizational knowledge management: an integrative review, International Journal of Development Research, Vol. 12, Issue, 08, pp. 58343-58346, August, 2022
• Singh, J. and Yadav, P..(2009) Challenges and Strategies to Knowledge Management: Case Studies of Selected Companies Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development, Online access @ www.publishingindia.com
• Singh, S. P., Yadav, D. K., Yuksel, S., & Sener, U. (2017). Knowledge management practices and firm performance: A meta-analysis of research published in 2000–2016. Journal of Knowledge Management, 21(4), 731–748. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-12-2016-0539
• Stanislow, G., 2014. Project Management as a tool for modern public Administration. PMI Buenos Aires Chapter. [Accessed 15 March 2022].
• Swaty and Kumar, M.(2021). Knowledge Management: Process and Challenges. IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM) e-ISSN: 2278-487X, p-ISSN: 2319-7668. Volume 23, Issue 5. Ser. I (May 2021), PP 56-59. www.iosrjournals.org
• Tiwana, A., Bharadwaj, A. & Sambamurthy, V. (2003). The antecedents of IS development Capability: A knowledge integration perspective. Proceedings of the 24th International Conference on Information Systems, Seattle, pp 246-258.
• Turner, J. R., & Muller, R., (2003). On the nature of the project as a temporary organization. International Journal of Project Management, 21, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0263-7863(02)00020-0
• Walliman, N. (2011). Research methods: The basics. Routledge.
• Yusof, M. N., Yahaya, N. M., Awang, N., Hassan, N. N. B. N. and Cheen, K. S. (2019). The Challenges in implementing knowledge management practices in construction industry. International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology (IJEAT) ISSN: 2249-8958 (Online), Volume-8 Issue-5C, May 2019.