Challenges of innovation through knowledge management practices in construction: A North Cyprus Perspective

Construction firms are increasingly look:ing for innovative constructional solutions to offer their clients. The innovation potential of the firms depends on their ability to acquife existing knowledge, to Cfeate new knowledge and to make use of it fof the fealization of new constructional solutions. The main objective of this study is to investigate the challenges of innovation through knowledge management (KM) practices in North Cyprus construction industfy. The fesearch focus is to 1) identify the key issues and challenges of innovation that contfibute to successful implementation of KM practices 2) analyze the current initiatives of innovation through KM practices, and 3) assess the effectiveness of innovation initiatives through KM practices in construction contractofs. The fesearch includes an extensive literature study, interviews with managefs on innovation through knowledge management practices in construction, analysis of this infofmation to develop findings, and extending these to pfesent the key dfivefs that could be targeted fof innovation through knowledge management sustainability. The papef commences on undefstanding the contractofs' own processes and detecting theif weaknesses and stfengths, detefmining the strategies and actions that should be made in the long term to adopt innovation and knowledge management practices and helping the North Cyprus construction industry to leam as a whole. The papef concludes how the drivefs of innovation through knowledge management practices can offef benefits to construction contractofs in North Cyprus if appropriate strategies are adopted.