Knowledge Risk Management in the Social Impact Project Finance (SIPF). Evidence from an Italian Experience

The purpose of this paper is to extend the research on Knowledge Risk Management (KRM) in the field of project finance. In particular, the approach to knowledge risks in the project risk management is investigated. To achieve this goal, case study methodology is applied, considering the first Social Impact Project Finance (SIPF) initiative in Italy in 2015. Data has been collected conducting an online survey aimed at investigating ways of approaching knowledge management and knowledge risk management of the parties involved in the SIPF. Findings underlined that, despite some awareness of knowledge risks, parties involved in SIPF have divergent perceptions on the effects of the latter on the project success. This confirms the need for a more systematic approach and specific tools and techniques for this type of risks. Since this is a single case study, in order to generalize its findings, future studies should broaden and deepen the line of research by considering additional types of projects and different parties involved, including reporting the experience of different countries.