A Conceptual Framework to Address Barriers to Knowledge Management in Project-Based Organizations

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify, classify, and prioritize knowledge management (KM) barriers in Iran project-based organization (PBO) and present conceptual framework for improving it. Design/methodology/approach: After studying previous literature on the topic, initial barriers of knowledge management in project based organizations were extracted. Then, a list of barriers of knowledge management in the above mentioned organizations was finalized by interviewing experts in knowledge management. After that, the barriers were prioritized using a questionnaire. Finally, a conceptual framework for improving knowledge management barriers was presented. Findings: In this article, barriers of knowledge management in project based organizations have been divided into five categories: individual, organizational, technological, contextual, and inter-project. Then a three-layered conceptual framework was presented for improving the barriers of knowledge management in project-based organizations. Practical implications: The prepared and prioritized list of barriers of knowledge management in project based organizations is a stepping stone and a guideline to managers in project based organizations in order to be able to identify barriers of knowledge management in their own organizations and resolve them, and improve knowledge management in their organizations. It also serves as a useful base for researchers to expand further research in barriers of knowledge management in project based organizations. Originality/value: This article is probably the first article which has identified barriers of knowledge management through interview and questionnaires carried out in 50 active project based organizations which had knowledge management section. The article also presented a three-layered framework for improving barriers of knowledge management, which can be applied step by step considering the level of importance