THE ROLE OF THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE IN KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER IN A MATRIX-STRUCTURED ORGANISATION: A CASE STUDY

• Ngonidzashe Gomo Department of Engineering and Technology Management Graduate School of Technology Management University of Pretoria
• Herman Steyn Department of Engineering and Technology Management Graduate School of Technology Management University of Pretoria
• Cornelis Cristo van Waveren Department of Engineering and Technology Management Graduate School of Technology Management University of Pretoria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7166/32-4-2517

Keywords:

Roles, project management office, knowledge transfer, knowledge transfer challenges

Abstract

The knowledge transfer role of a project management office in a matrix-structured telecommunication organisation was investigated by means of focus groups and interviews, and the results were analysed with ATLAS.ti software. The results confirmed the key role that the project management office plays in knowledge transfer. Corporate culture was found to have a greater effect on knowledge transfer than the type of organisational structure. Conflicts and other challenges typical of matrix structures did not necessarily hinder knowledge transfer, and even contributed to it. The knowledge transfer roles of the project management office were primarily perceived as a moderator of the transfer of technical information and a mediator of project and business knowledge.