Dissemination of Academic Research Knowledge to Construction Industry: Insights from Knowledge Management Literature

Abstract

Academic research in built environment consists of cognitive, affective as well as behavioural components. Existing built environment research does not reveal many encouraging signs of changes in the way that the construction industry and construction research knowledge is exchanged. Different research dissemination mechanisms have at different performance levels in respect to the way they provided for outcome dissemination. However, the effectiveness and the efficiency are claimed to be relatively fewer and under-developed within the construction industry compared to other industries. The PhD research on which this research paper is based aims to merge academic research with industry development requirements to build a better responsive construction industry. As a preliminary step, this paper reports on the literature findings on the theoretical background of the ways and means of academic research knowledge dissemination to the built environment. The paper also discusses some of the practical and philosophical issues that would need to be considered when transferring academic research to the built environment. In doing so, relevant literature is synthesized to provide a holistic picture of the current knowledge of research knowledge dissemination, by also bringing insights from knowledge transfer literature while highlighting significant gaps in specific areas such as ‘academic research and outcome’, ‘dissemination to construction sector’, ‘of transfer’ and ‘pros and cons of the mechanisms’ at this initial level of the research. The paper considers upon the available research knowledge dissemination options in categories such as, write –ups of individual research, collections of written research, e- transfer, public awareness, research related gatherings, collaboration with government and collaboration with industry. Further it analyses the identified mechanisms with reference to their pros and cons in a way which a researcher can make an informed and sensible decisions as to how to proceed on delivering the profound outcome to the interested knowledge clients. The main dimensions of each mechanism are outlined through the synthesis upon merits and de-merits. The paper develops the argument that the use of a single mechanism often could fail in exploring the whole likely receiver base for a particular research outcome. The approach of using multiples is suggested to counteract this weakness and to enhance transfer of academic research knowledge dissemination into built environment.