Exploring the Challenges and Barriers of Knowledge Retention in Information Systems Development Teams: The Case of Pēke

Abstract

Knowledge Retention (KR) is vital for information systems development (ISD) as information technology (IT) professionals rely on accumulated technical and organizational knowledge to develop and maintain information systems. To help organizations better understand KR in the ISD context, we explore the erosion of KR practices arising from staff churn and the aftermath of a major earthquake in an ISD unit in a financial organization in New Zealand. In this preliminary study, we develop a causal model of KR in the ISD context, which articulates the barriers, challenges, and consequences of ineffective KR for at the routine and exiting stages. Our model identifies four barriers and challenges—coordination complexity, resources for knowledge retention, attention to knowledge retention, and process for hiring and handover—which can affect the loss of ISD knowledge when routine and exiting KR fall into disarray. We also provide implications for practitioners regarding KR in the ISD context.