Short answer

Prioritize the development of robust knowledge management systems that facilitate the discovery, organization, dissemination, and retention of sustainability-related information to drive innovation and informed decision-making.

Field: Innovation & Design
Source: Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Management Procurement and Law (2015)
Method: Qualitative research using semi-structured interviews and content analysis.
Evidence: Moderate effect

Effectively managing sustainability-related knowledge requires addressing four core drivers: improving access, identifying assets, enhancing flow, and capturing key information. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Management Procurement and Law. Using Qualitative research using semi-structured interviews and content analysis., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Prioritize the development of robust knowledge management systems that facilitate the discovery, organization, dissemination, and retention of sustainability-related information to drive innovation and informed decision-making.

Study

Innovation & DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Four Key Drivers for Managing Sustainability Knowledge in Industrial Sectors

Effectively managing sustainability-related knowledge requires addressing four core drivers: improving access, identifying assets, enhancing flow, and capturing key information.

Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Management Procurement and Law · 2015

Key Findings

01Improved access to knowledge associated with sustainability initiatives is a key driver.
02Identification of knowledge assets associated with sustainability initiatives is a key driver.
03Improved flow of knowledge associated with sustainability initiatives is a key driver.
04Capture of key knowledge associated with sustainability initiatives is a key driver.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When initiating a design project with sustainability goals, map out how relevant knowledge will be identified, accessed, shared, and retained throughout the project lifecycle.

Project actions

01Consider how your design project will access and utilize existing knowledge on sustainable practices.
02Think about how new knowledge generated during your project will be captured and shared.

Method & Evidence

AimWhat are the key drivers for managing sustainability-related knowledge within UK industrial sectors?

MethodQualitative research using semi-structured interviews and content analysis.

ProcedureConducted semi-structured interviews with professionals in the energy and utilities, transportation, construction, and not-for-profit sectors to gather perceptions on managing sustainability knowledge. Analyzed interview data using content analysis at both aggregate and sector levels.

ContextUK industrial sectors (energy and utilities, transportation, construction, not-for-profit organizations).

Variables

IV["Need for managing sustainability-related knowledge"]

DV["Improved access to knowledge","Identification of knowledge assets","Improved flow of knowledge","Capture of key knowledge"]

CV["Industry sector (energy and utilities, transportation, construction, not-for-profit)","Geographical location (UK)"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Focuses on a critical but under-researched area (sustainability knowledge management).
+Employs a qualitative approach to capture nuanced industry perceptions.

Limitations

The findings are based on interviews within specific industries, so they might not apply to all design fields or geographical locations.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the findings could be enhanced by using a larger and more diverse sample size across different industries and geographical regions. Validity is supported by the use of content analysis to systematically interpret interview data.

Think critically

How might the identified drivers for managing sustainability knowledge be applied to the development of new sustainable materials or manufacturing processes?

Design Principles

"Knowledge is a critical resource for sustainable innovation; its effective management is paramount."

Organizations facing sustainability challenges must leverage knowledge to innovate and make informed decisions. Understanding the fundamental drivers behind managing this knowledge is crucial for developing effective strategies that align with organizational goals and add tangible value.

What This Means for Your Design

To be good at designing sustainable things, companies need to get better at finding, organizing, sharing, and keeping track of information about sustainability.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of knowledge management for sustainable design practices in your design project.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights that effective management of sustainability-related knowledge is crucial for driving innovation and informed decision-making in industrial sectors. The study identified four key drivers: improving access to sustainability knowledge, identifying sustainability knowledge assets, enhancing the flow of sustainability knowledge, and capturing key sustainability knowledge. These drivers underscore the need for systematic approaches to knowledge management when pursuing sustainability objectives in design projects.

Source

Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Management Procurement and Law

Drivers for managing sustainability-related knowledge

journal · 2015

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about four key drivers for managing sustainability knowledge in industrial sectors?: Prioritize the development of robust knowledge management systems that facilitate the discovery, organization, dissemination, and retention of sustainability-related information to drive innovation and informed decision-making. Evidence: Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Management Procurement and Law (2015).
Why does "Four Key Drivers for Managing Sustainability Knowledge in Industrial Sectors" matter for design?: Organizations facing sustainability challenges must leverage knowledge to innovate and make informed decisions. Understanding the fundamental drivers behind managing this knowledge is crucial for developing effective strategies that align with organizational goals and add tangible value.
How can designers apply this research?: Prioritize the development of robust knowledge management systems that facilitate the discovery, organization, dissemination, and retention of sustainability-related information to drive innovation and informed decision-making.
What were the main findings?: Improved access to knowledge associated with sustainability initiatives is a key driver.. Identification of knowledge assets associated with sustainability initiatives is a key driver.. Improved flow of knowledge associated with sustainability initiatives is a key driver.. Capture of key knowledge associated with sustainability initiatives is a key driver.
What research method was used?: Qualitative research using semi-structured interviews and content analysis..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2015 journal from Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Management Procurement and Law.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When initiating a design project with sustainability goals, map out how relevant knowledge will be identified, accessed, shared, and retained throughout the project lifecycle.
What are the limitations?: The study focused on specific UK industrial sectors, and findings may not be universally applicable. The qualitative nature of the research means results are based on perceptions and interpretations.