Electronic Journal of Knowledge Management

A Scoping Review on Project-Based Organization’s (PBOs) Knowledge Transfer Using the Systemic Lessons Learned Knowledge (Syllk) Model as an Interpretative Structural Model (ISM)

Carrie Amani Annabi, Jeffrey Paul Matravers Badman, Ana Mat Said — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A scoping review was conducted in order to systematically map the research featuring Project Based Organizations (PBOs) in relation to knowledge transfer. This scoping review considered over 50 years of research to ascertain how PBOs transfer knowledge by using an interpretative structural model (ISM) to illustrate the outcomes of the investigation via the Systemic Lessons Learned Knowledge (Syllk) Model, created by Duffield and Whitty (2015). We wanted to illustrate what knowledge transfer elements from the authors’ original model outlining six key themes were sustained and prevalent in literature as representative of this knowledge transfer process. The six elements are: learning, culture, social, technology, process and infrastructure. Employing an ISM also helped identify gaps in existing knowledge. The following research questions formed the basis of our study: Research Question 1: How does the Syllk model help interpret and categorize knowledge transfer dynamics in PBO contexts? Research Question 2: What adaptations are required, if any, to the Syllk Model (Duffield & Whitty, 2015) to better facilitate knowledge transfer within PBOs? Research Question 3: What are the key barriers to knowledge transfer in PBOs? Findings: Extant literature indicated that knowledge sharing depends on the willingness of individuals to participate, without which lessons cannot be learned. The results of this scoping review illustrated how some of the elements within the original Syllk Model by Duffield and Whitty (2015) are not fully exploited by organizations. Moreover, several terms possess hazy definitions which further disadvantaged outcomes as it makes some reserch outputs open to question because concensus on the ideology for each element considered as a key theme is subject to interpretation. We propose the Aspirational Syllk (ASyllk) Model as a reconceptualized ISM that enables PBOs to systematically capture and assess experiential learning outcomes. Methodology: A scoping review was undertaken looking at 202 peer reviewed journal papers: Scoping reviews differ from a systematic review in that the former maps a broad body of literature on relevant topic areas and provides tabular outputs, as well as identifying gaps. Whereas the latter considers a far narrower range of research material as it possesses a dedicated synthesis. We subscribed to the scoping review protocol advocated by Bragge et al. (2011) in that we delineated our area of exploration, thereafter we conducted an extensive literature review and then we reported upon these sources to accurately assess the barriers to organizational learning and, thus, identify the gaps in literature. We also considered the antecedents that go into knowledge transfer in PBOs. Significance: Despite a half century of research on knowledge transfer, our findings indicated that knowledge transfer is not intrinsic to PBOs, thus illustrating the need for robust project termination processes to garner key lessons learned for subsequent organizational learning capacity. Through our extensive examination of existing literature, covering over 200 sources, we illustrated a detailed understanding of the barriers to knowledge transfer within PBOs. This scoping review serves as a powerful resource for researchers and practitioners by offering insights into an ammended model to test in future research.

Enhancing the Colombian Public Sector Performance: A Systemic Knowledge Management Strategy Based on ISO 30401 and the IPMM

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Knowledge management (KM) is recognized as being vital for organizational competitiveness and sustainability for both private and public organizations. A great myriad of theories, frameworks, and tools have been developed, many of which have been developed with private organizations in mind, given their dependence on maintaining competitiveness in the market for their survival. However, the stakes for public organizations could be considered greater, as their decisions and actions affect a wide range of stakeholders, and their management, in general, faces important challenges, such as the high turnover of their employees. For this reason, numerous efforts have been made to improve the way knowledge is managed in public institutions, yet its effective implementation in public entities remains a challenge. In Latin America, one of the countries where explicit efforts have been made to foster KM in public institutions is Colombia. The country has developed an Integrated Planning and Management Model (IPMM), which includes a specific mandate for KM implementation in all the public institutions of the country. Although the IPMM includes this KM mandate, Colombian public entities have been facing several difficulties in achieving the KM implementation. In fact, KM adoption has been slow and its impact limited, signalling the need for systemic solutions. This research employs a systemic approach, grounded in the ISO 30401 standard and a comprehensive literature analysis, to develop a KM implementation strategy tailored to the IPMM. The proposed strategy, emphasizing strategic, human, and operational factors, positions KM as the central organizing principle of the IPMM and, at the same time, is aligned with ISO 30401 guidelines. This integration aims to ease the implementation of KM within a KM system that leads to enhancing the performance of public entities in Colombia. Although being developed for Colombian public entities, the proposed strategy offers valuable insights for public administrations globally seeking to leverage KM for strategic advantage to better fulfil their mandates for the benefit of society as a whole.

A Knowledge-Sharing Practices Perspective for Poverty Eradication Among Rural Women

Baaba Bonuedie, Madeleine C Fombad — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Knowledge-sharing practices is crucial for communities striving to combat poverty. The paper explores knowledge-sharing practices for poverty eradication among rural women in Ghana and makes recommendations to improve knowledge sharing. It adopted the interpretive paradigm and a qualitative research approach. The primary data were obtained from 111 rural women in the Northern region, Ghana. Face-to-face interviews, focus-group discussions and observations were used to collect data. The study was guided by the following question: “What are the knowledge-sharing practices for poverty eradication among rural women in the northern region of Ghana?” Thematic analysis was conducted based on Braun and Clarke’s (2006) framework. The findings revealed that rural women engage in a variety of knowledge-sharing practices such as social interactions with extension officers, interactions between family and friends, interactions with social cliques and self-proclaimed experts, village meetings, religious leaders and institutions meetings, Communities of Practice and knowledge sharing programmes. The study recommends the need for rural women to seek professional knowledge from established knowledge centers. A dedicated mobile phone helpline project is also recommended, as well as the training and motivation of extension officers to improve the quality of extension services provided to rural women. Additionally, elements such as literacy programs, appropriate leadership, stakeholder participation, trust and respect for culture, ICT technology, gender-equity campaigns, behavioral change, social amenities and resource availability and ongoing knowledge-sharing programmes were also considered crucial for enhancing knowledge sharing practices. The study contributes to knowledge management by demonstrating how tacit knowledge flows are sustained through informal networks, trust, and reciprocity in rural contexts. By foregrounding these socially embedded and community-driven practices, it broadens knowledge management theory beyond corporate settings and highlights their relevance for poverty eradication and women’s empowerment. The study is timely as it seeks to leverage knowledge management practices to eradicate poverty, empower women, and address gender inequality in line with Goals 1 and 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals.