Extracting Tacit Knowledge from Experts and Its Role in Saudi Project Knowledge Management

The purpose of this study was to identify the mechanisms for extracting implicit knowledge among Saudi project experts, understand the role of extracting implicit knowledge among experts in project management in Saudi Arabia, as well as identify the extent of success factors in project knowledge management. Additionally, the study aimed to uncover the main threats to extracting implicit knowledge among experts and finally, to develop an integrated knowledge framework for extracting implicit knowledge among experts in Saudi project knowledge management. The study used a mixed-method approach, distributing a questionnaire to 440 project knowledge management experts and conducting interviews with twenty-five project management experts. The research findings indicated a consensus among the study sample regarding the diversity of mechanisms for extracting implicit knowledge from experts at a rate of 84.09%. The importance of extracting implicit knowledge from experts in project knowledge management was rated at 88.55%, while the availability of success factors in project knowledge management was rated at 85.85%. The study also revealed threats to extracting implicit knowledge from experts at a rate of 88.06%. The interviews demonstrated the extent of implicit knowledge generated by projects and its significant impact on improving project management quality. The results of the interviews aligned with the questionnaire results in terms of the importance of extracting and utilizing implicit knowledge. Therefore, a knowledge framework was developed for extracting implicit knowledge among experts in Saudi project knowledge management, consisting of inputs, methods for extracting implicit knowledge, success factors in project knowledge management, and outputs. The study recommended the necessity of establishing a formal system within organizations for extracting implicit knowledge in Saudi project knowledge management.