How to reduce the negative impacts of knowledge heterogeneity in engineering design team: Exploring the role of knowledge reuse

Abstract

Typical characteristics of construction projects are uniqueness and complexities, which lead to lack of reuse of previous knowledge in engineering design team (EDT). Furthermore, with the development of construction industry, knowledge heterogeneity continues to strengthen and increases the difficulties of knowledge reuse in EDT. The aim of this paper is to explore how to reduce the negative impacts of knowledge heterogeneity by reusing knowledge effectively in EDT. The study demonstrates that knowledge heterogeneity impact EDT performance negatively in some cases, and effective knowledge reuse and good team atmosphere help alleviate the negative effects to a certain extent. Hence EDT should encourage employees' knowledge reuse behaviors or activities and create harmonious team atmosphere so as to reduce the negative effects of knowledge heterogeneity that will in turn lead to benefits for the organization as a whole.