Research Questions Case Study Research Methodology

99 the largest category. At the same time, Ibrahim and Fay 2006 argued that the design process is a tacit dominant stage. Unfortunately, there is a lack of literature on transferring tacit knowledge according to Alavi and Leidner 2001. With support from Ibrahim Paulson 2008 stating that knowledge type contributes to the knowledge loss phenomenon, this study posits whether or not it is possible to mitigate time and cost overrun if tacit knowledge transfer is facilitated. Nissen 2006 further explained in his multidimensional model for product life cycle that the knowledge transferred to other experts through sharing the experience is of tacit type. According to his model, tacit knowledge comes from heavy mass and contributes to long flow time. Hence, knowledge transfer is improved through this phase by finding a way to convert tacit knowledge that has to be exchanged between experts during conceptual design stage to the explicit type. Many professionals from various fields such as mechanical, electrical, and structural professions are involved during conceptual design stage. So far, many researchers have recognized mechanical and electrical considerations as the most problematic areas during conceptual design phase. Furthermore, this study has predominantly concentrated on mechanical and electrical considerations due to existing time limitation. Therefore, the main research question of this study is: “How can tacit knowledge of design requirements be formalized for improving knowledge flow among professionals during conceptual design phase of building projects?” 100 In design phase, mechanicalelectrical requirements are the most problematic considerations. Thus, this study develops Sub-RQs pertaining to such considerations. The Sub-RQs of this study include: Sub-RQ1: What are techniques to formalize mechanicalelectrical knowledge of design requirements during conceptual design phase of building projects? Sub-RQ2: What are the required mechanicalelectrical knowledge during the conceptual design phase of building projects? Sub-RQ3: How do architects and mechanicalelectrical engineers know when to transfer the required knowledge for improving conceptual design phase of building projects?

3.3.2 Theoretical Proposition

According to Yin 2003 there are two general analytic strategies. One relies on theoretical proposition and the other one develops a case description. In this study, a theoretical proposition has been utilized. Precedent literature points to incomplete knowledge flow which leads to overruns of time and cost in building projects. According to some researchers such as Rounce 1998, the considerable amount of wasted time is related to the design stage. Bearing in mind that the design stage is a tacit-dominated area and also considering the difficulty of organizing tacit knowledge, the propositions are: 101 Proposition 1: Knowledge capture can be improved when design professionals know what the required knowledge are and when they are needed during conceptual design phase. Proposition 2: With improved knowledge capture, design professionals can improve their knowledge transfer and application during conceptual design phase.

3.3.3 Selection of a Unit of Analysis

The unit of analysis for this study is a team of six 4 th year architectural students in a public university who won a competition to design a building project. There are some justifications to choose this unit of analysis; the reasons are: - There are restrictions in Malaysia in attending conceptual design phase, because this stage is client-based. - It was difficult to get real people and real projects, because they are not keen to document their activities. - 4th year students are junior architects and therefore are able to complete medium size building projects. Furthermore, they considered 100 of mechanical and electrical requirements for concept design. - Medium size building project is appropriate due to time limitation for a PhD research. - Outdoor projects are risky due to the following: x There was no ongoing project and possibility to attend project meetings.