Special issue on organizational mechanisms for effective knowledge creation in projects : Guest editorial

Purpose – Knowledge creation is increasingly singled out as an important activity in a wide range of sectors. At the same time, projects are considered to be the loci where much of knowledge creation takes place. The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the current issues within this area and point out a few directions for future research. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is based on a literature review and a summary of the papers included in the special issue. The aim of the literature review consists in pointing out the key themes in the continuing debate on knowledge creation in projects. Findings – The paper argues that research needs to be developed along the following lines: the preconditions of effective knowledge creation mechanisms; the organizational practices able to support knowledge creation mechanisms; the contribution of communities of practice to knowledge creation in projects; the role of time and timing in projects knowledge creation; and the challenges associated with inter‐organizational projects and knowledge creation. Originality/value – This paper (and the special issue) provides an understanding of the context of knowledge creation, of the requirements that different contexts place on knowledge creation, and of the suitability of such mechanisms in peculiar contexts. These issues have received only limited attention to date in the project management literature.