Knowledge about Sustainability: SSM as a Method for Conceptualising the UK Construction Industry’s Knowledge Environment

Abstract

This paper proposes a sociology of knowledge approach as a basis for understanding the potential of knowledge management for the work of a complex interorganisational domain – the UK construction industry and has the specific aim of increasing the sustainability of the processes and products of this industry. To this end, soft systems methodology is introduced as a method of conceptualising the industry’s knowledge environment and thus moving towards technological interventions which aim to increase sustainability in construction industry practice.