ifkad articles

Evaluating the Present: The Impact of Project Management on Fostering Innovation and Facilitating Knowledge Transfer

Antonio Bassi, Mauro Capra, Nicola D’Amico, Juan Guanella, Giuseppe Gualtieri, Michela Manini Mondia, Nico Marchi

Promoting innovation and knowledge transfer are two fundamental processes that drive the growth and development of organizations in the information age. Innovation, whether it’s new products, services, or processes, is a key driver of competitiveness and long-term success. Knowledge transfer, on the other hand, involves the dissemination of skills, experiences, and information within an organization. Project Managers (PMs), with their unique skills in terms of leadership, relationship management, and implementation strategies, are uniquely positioned to ease both innovation promotion and knowledge transfer. Through effective management of teams and projects, they can create an environment that encourages the sharing of ideas and the adoption of new practices. However, promoting innovation and knowledge transfer are not without challenges. These can include resistance to change, communication barriers, and lack of adequate resources. Therefore, it is crucial for PMs to understand these challenges and develop effective strategies to overcome them. For this reason, the Department of Innovative Technologies (DTI) of University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), launched a study in September 2023, focusing on how the role of the PM can be a key player into these dynamics. The expectations of this study are to provide a deeper understanding of the role of the PM in facilitating knowledge transfer and promoting innovation. We expect that the findings of this study may contribute to the existing literature on these topics and provide useful insights for practitioners in the field.

IN: Proceedings IFKAD 2024 – Translating Knowledge into Innovation Dynamics
PP: 1986-2008