Abstracts – Browse Results
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Al Shawa, B (2021) Achieving the climate change targets for the global buildings sector: a techno-socioeconomic pathway, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Bath.
Azzouz, A (2018) Current perspectives and future directions of BIM assessment methods, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering, University of Bath.
Bourdakis, V (1994) Performance appraisal of sportshall and swimming pool buildings in Greece, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Bath.
Cusack, M M (1981) Time cost models: their use in decision making in the construction industry, with particular reference to the use of the microcomputer, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering, University of Bath.
Du, Q (2009) Integrated decision-making in the cladding supply chain, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering, University of Bath.
Dulaimi, M F (1991) Job behaviour of site managers: Its determinants and assessment, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Bath.
Gale, A W (1994) Women in construction: An investigation into some of the aspects of image and knowledge as determinants of the under representation of women in construction management in the British construction industry, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Bath.
Grist, E (2014) The implementation of innovative and sustainable construction materials, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering, University of Bath.
Hampshire, P (2015) The development of an approach and decision support tool to inform sustainable roof selection, Unpublished PhD Thesis, School of Management, University of Bath.
Huang, X (2012) Estimating the cost of engineering services using parametrics and the bathtub failure model, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath.
Hudson, R (2010) Strategies for parametric design in architecture: an application of practice-led research, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering, University of Bath.
Jirojanakul, P (2000) The quality of life of construction workers' children in Bangkok Metropolis, Thailand, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Bath.
Jobe, K (2017) A flexible housing approach for self-help housing in Botswana, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering, University of Bath.
Joyce, S (2016) Performance driven design systems in practice, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Bath.
Kunieda, Y (2017) Development of an impact assessment tool for demolition, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering, University of Bath.
Macchiarulo, V (2022) Integration of satellite radar interferometry and civil engineering procedures to assess building and infrastructure conditions, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Bath.
Meese, N (2012) Knowledge sharing for sustainable development: a mixed-method study of an international civil engineering consultancy, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Bath.
- Type: Thesis
- Keywords: environmental impact; civil engineering; sustainable development; civil engineer; client
- ISBN/ISSN:
- URL: https://researchportal.bath.ac.uk/en/studentthesis/knowledge-sharing-for-sustainable-development-a-mixedmethod-study-of-an-international-civil-engineering-consultancy(248daf15-5306-4539-a6e2-dc7009d1b906).html
- Abstract:
Sustainable development (SD) is a pressing global issue that is becoming increasingly prominent on clients and governing bodies agendas. In order to survive, organisations are seeking ways to negate their detrimental environmental impacts. This is no easy feat: SD is both complex and dynamic. To be successful, organisations need to leverage and expand their most valuable asset – knowledge. Civil engineering plays a significant role in SD – it shapes our environment and governs our interaction with it. However, extant research asserts that civil engineering related disciplines have been slow to adopt SD oriented practices; a possible result of their complex and fragmented organisational environments. The literature suggests that effective knowledge sharing (KS) can overcome these barriers, thus driving enhanced SD performance. Consequently, this research aims to investigate how the civil engineering sector can improve its intra-organisational sharing of SD knowledge, using an international civil engineering consultancy as an exemplar. Whilst there has been much research surrounding KS and SD there has been limited research that has investigated KS for SD, thus this thesis contributes to this limited body of knowledge. Mixed-method research was used to address the abovementioned aim. An increasingly popular approach, it is widely believed to generate greater value through complementary integration of quantitative and qualitative research paradigms. This approach lends itself also to the ethnographic inclinations of the reported research: the author was embedded within the case organisation, and sought a rich and reliable understanding of the study phenomena. An initial set of semi-structured interviews suggested that the case organisation’s members exhibit positive attitudes towards KS and SD, yet are often constrained by a number of common KS barriers, namely: a lack of organisation slack (i.e. time); a silo mentality; and poor SD ICT systems. These socio-cultural and technical barriers were subsequently investigated and contested using social network analysis techniques and an intranet acceptance model. A number of observations are made on the relationships between the findings from the research activities. It is believed the organisation often exhibits a reactive approach to KS for SD, which is deemed undesirable. This signals the need for greater senior management support to cultivate a culture where KS for SD is the norm and is integrated with work practices. A series of recommendations are provided to help the case organisation understand how such change could be cultivated. Several implications follow from this work. The mixed-method approach revealed a number of contradictions between the findings of each research activity. It is therefore postulated that mixed-method designs can provide a richer understanding, thus reducing misconceptions of KS phenomena. Following from this, the research contends that it may be too easy for researchers to identify with ubiquitous KS barriers as the reported research suggests that these may be perceived rather than actual. The research also reinforces the need for senior management support. These individuals govern the systems in which organisational members operate and thus have the ability to enhance KS for SD. Finally, the research demonstrates that SD ICT systems have little impact unless they are embedded in receptive contexts. Thus, an action research approach to KS system development is advocated to ensure systems are shaped to meet user expectations and drive desired KS behaviours. This research is presented in five peer-reviewed articles.
Mitchell, R (2020) The performance gap in new construction: evaluation of UK Passivhaus dwellings, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering, University of Bath.
Mustapha, F H (1990) Who are the effective construction site managers and what skills do they bring to their work?, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Bath.
Nisbet, P (1995) Dualism, flexibility and self-employment in the UK construction industry, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Bath.
Orr, J (2012) Flexible formwork for concrete structures, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Bath.
Osaily, Y (2021) Guidance for advancing demolition project management in the UK, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Bath.
Powell, R (2012) Evaluating cognitive screening as a possible solution to reducing accidents and improving workplace productivity through early preventive detection of fatigue-impairment in the construction industry, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering, University of Bath.
Root, D S (2001) The influence of professional and occupational cultures on project relationships mediated through standard forms and conditions of contract, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Bath.
Smith, S (2003) Life cycle assessment of civil engineering projects, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Bath.
Voyatzaki, M G (1996) An insight into the design process of unconventional structures, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Bath.
Watson, N (2016) Developing material selection strategies to improve the embodied impacts of buildings, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Bath.
Yin, X (2018) Development of straw bale building in northern China, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Bath.
Zhang, X (2019) Integrating lean construction, BIM and quality: a new paradigm for the improvement of Chinese construction quality, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering, University of Bath.