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Transformation paths and influencing factors of tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge in real estate companies: a qualitative study

Guodong Ni (School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, Institute of Project Management, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, China) (Research Center for Digitalized Construction and Knowledge Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, China)
Ziyao Zhang (School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, Institute of Project Management, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, China)
Zhenmin Yuan (School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, Institute of Project Management, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, China)
Haitao Huang (School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, Institute of Project Management, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, China)
Na Xu (School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, Institute of Project Management, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, China) (Research Center for Digitalized Construction and Knowledge Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, China)
Yongliang Deng (School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, Institute of Project Management, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, China) (Research Center for Digitalized Construction and Knowledge Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, China)

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management

ISSN: 0969-9988

Article publication date: 13 April 2021

Issue publication date: 24 March 2022

1030

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to figure out the paths about transformation of tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge, i.e. tacit knowledge explicating (TKE) in real estate companies, and determine the influencing factors of TKE in Chinese real estate companies to enable enterprises make better use of their knowledge resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted an exploratory design method using thematic analysis and grounded theory, and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data. The interviewees consisted of employees in different positions, who come from Chinese real estate companies with different ranking ranges and different knowledge management levels. Data collection was divided into two rounds for the identification of transformation paths and influencing factors.

Findings

This study has shown that 11 paths about TKE divided into solidified organization process and construction of organizational infrastructure go into effect within the real estate companies. Factors influencing TKE in real estate companies concern three main categories: organizational distal factors, contextual proximal factors and individual factors, including 21 subordinates in total. Furthermore, correlation between TKE paths and influencing factors is established.

Research limitations/implications

Research results may lack generalizability due to the method adopted. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to verify the outcomes of this research.

Practical implications

This research provides a new idea and solutions for the tacit knowledge management in real estate companies.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to systematically identify paths and the influencing factors of TKE in real estate companies, contribute to the incipient but growing understanding of achievement of “tacit to explicit” and enrich the corporate tacit knowledge management literature.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (project no. 72071201) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities in China (project no. 2020ZDPYMS30). The authors would like to thank all the interviewees in this research and for the valuable suggestions of the editor, deputy editor, editorial assistant and anonymous reviewers.

Citation

Ni, G., Zhang, Z., Yuan, Z., Huang, H., Xu, N. and Deng, Y. (2022), "Transformation paths and influencing factors of tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge in real estate companies: a qualitative study", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 29 No. 3, pp. 1319-1342. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-09-2020-0677

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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