Yesterday I identified the value and contribution of my research, but I did not give any context.  Today I will identify the knowledge gaps, specify the primary research question, list my assumptions and propositions, and outline my ideas.  The relationship between these is shown in the diagram below, but first I will identify the knowledge gaps I found in my review of the literature.

The knowledge gaps

The identified knowledge gaps pertinent to my research are:

• there is little literature on managing projects by understanding relationships;
• there are no studies that map relationships between complex projects;
• there are few studies that use network analysis techniques for program or portfolio evaluation;
• there are few multi-network studies, and none that examine a program or portfolio of projects;
• there are no studies that attempt to bring together project artefact relationships, project team and project manager networks, and organisation networks; and
• there are no studies that try to bring together the artefact, inter-personal, inter-positional, inter-unit, and inter-organisational networks of an organisation.

The research question

The knowledge gaps identified above led to the primary research question, which is - ‘How can mapping knowledge and knowledge flows improve knowledge worker productivity?' 

Four assumptions, three ideas, and two propositions, which were determined from the literature review, my own experience, and the methodological framework to be employed, underpin this question.

Assumptions and propositions

The assumptions and propositions are:

• Assumption 1. Organisations are complex soft systems, consisting of formal and informal networks.
• Assumption 2. Organisational networks consist of formal and informal relationships that can be managed.
• Assumption 3. Knowledge transfer paths can be mapped.
• Assumption 4. Emergent networks can be converted to goal-directed purposeful networks.
• Proposition 1. Organisations find it difficult to exploit knowledge because they don't understand their artefact, social, organisational and knowledge relationships.
• Proposition 2. Knowledge worker productivity can be enhanced through an understanding of artefact, social, organisational and knowledge relationships.

Ideas

Three ideas inform this research.  They are:

• Central idea. Emergent networks can be weaved with goal-directed networks, or to create goal-directed purposeful networks, to enhance organisational productivity.
• Supporting idea 1. Understanding the artefact, inter-personal, inter-positional, inter-unit, and inter-organisational networks will provide a mechanism to enhance organisational outcome.
• Supporting idea 2. Knowledge itself cannot be managed, but mapping knowledge and knowledge transfer paths can enable knowledge worker productivity.

As always your comments and thoughts are invited.

Regards Graham