Unpacking Barriers to Knowledge Management in Quantity Surveying: An Empirical Analysis from Kaduna State

Knowledge Management (KM) is essential to professional services such as quantity surveying, where the ability to capture, store, and reuse knowledge directly influences project success, decision-making, and organisational learning. However, KM practices in the Nigerian construction industry, particularly among Quantity Surveyors, remain underdeveloped and poorly institutionalised. This study investigates the barriers affecting KM implementation among registered Quantity Surveyors in Kaduna State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was administered to 201 professionals, with 120 valid responses (59.70% response rate). The study employed Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), mean score ranking, and Cronbach’s alpha reliability testing to analyse the data and uncover underlying patterns. Two principal categories of KM barriers emerged: Knowledge Management Barriers and Cultural and Structural Barriers. The most critical challenges identified include the absence of clear KM metrics, weak knowledge retention strategies, fragmented knowledge repositories, and a lack of leadership commitment to KM. The results show that technical and managerial issues pose greater constraints to KM than cultural or behavioural resistance. These findings highlight the importance of addressing systemic weaknesses to promote sustainable knowledge practices. Theoretically, the study supports the applicability of the SECI model and Knowledge-Based View in emerging market contexts by demonstrating how technical limitations obstruct the externalisation and integration of knowledge. Practically, the study recommends the development of ICTsupported KM platforms, integration of KM key performance indicators into project appraisals, and the implementation of mentorship programmes to retain tacit knowledge. This study provides empirical insights that are valuable for researchers, industry practitioners, and policymakers aiming to institutionalise KM in Nigeria’s professional services sector. It contributes to the limited body of knowledge on KM barriers in sub-Saharan Africa and lays the groundwork for context-specific KM frameworks that can enhance performance, competitiveness, and innovation in the quantity surveying profession.