The impact of professionals’ knowledge on innovation adoption in the construction industry: A critical literature review (original) (raw)
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The recent debate on innovation within an organizational setting has shifted focus toward discussing whether innovation is being adopted or being created. This shift is due to the failure of many innovation efforts and the fact that for each innovation creation or innovation adoption, different skills, resources, and cultures are needed to encourage each innovation. The objective of this article is to explore the type of innovation implemented by the construction participants. A conceptual model of innovation creation and innovation adoption was developed using four criteria: by justification of new ideas, by purposes, by activities involved, and by nature. Face-to-face questionnaires were conducted with developers, consulting firms, and contractors in Penang, Malaysia. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis. Factor analysis was used to classify the innovation creation and innovation adoption. The results show that the construction participants in Malaysia are categorized as an innovation adopter. This result provides better understanding about the type of innovation implemented by the construction participants, in particular the contractors and the consulting firms. The results could also be used as a foundation for conducting future research to identify appropriate skills, knowledge, culture, and resources for such innovations.
Although the role of clients in stimulating construction innovation seems to be controversial, little has been known about their innovation adoption behaviour. This paper presents first results of an ongoing research project the aim of which is to shed more light on the adoption processes of construction clients. We build up a conceptual framework that describes innovation adoption as a communication process. Furthermore, we highlight and discuss the main findings of a case about the adoption of a temporary construction for the maintenance of a motorway bridge. Thus far we conclude from our findings that a more accelerated diffusion of construction innovation requires that the client has a thorough understanding of the problem an innovation is intended to solve. Furthermore, there must be improved dissemination and availability of information about similar solutions applied in previous projects and, for large-scale structural changes, ideas must be considered either in advance or at an early stage of a project.
Understanding the innovation adoption process of construction clients
2006
Although the role of clients in stimulating construction innovation seems to be controversial, little has been known about their innovation adoption behaviour. This paper presents first results of an ongoing research project the aim of which is to shed more light on the adoption processes of construction clients. We build up a conceptual framework that describes innovation adoption as a communication process. Furthermore, we highlight and discuss the main findings of a case about the adoption of a temporary construction for the maintenance of a motorway bridge. Thus far we conclude from our findings that a more accelerated diffusion of construction innovation requires that the client has a thorough understanding of the problem an innovation is intended to solve. Furthermore, there must be improved dissemination and availability of information about similar solutions applied in previous projects and, for large-scale structural changes, ideas must be considered either in advance or at an early stage of a project.
Toward Aligning Academic and Industry Understanding of Innovation in the Construction Industry
International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 2012
The research purpose is to conduct a preliminary investigation to determine whether the information gleaned from academic literature aligns with the impressions and attitudes of actual construction industry stakeholders to better understand the semantic and circumstantial disconnect between industry and academia. For this purpose, the researchers developed and administered a small-scale survey of key project stakeholders to determine the validity of the proposed definitions and construction literature findings. Additionally, the research team conducted interviews to develop a more in-depth case study perspective on barriers to innovative project delivery for key players in the construction industry supply chain. Thirty-five members of the BuildingSmart Alliance replied to the survey and six contractors took part in interviews, allowing the researchers to conduct a preliminary analysis of the strength of the proposed definitions and drivers of and barriers to innovation for project delivery in the construction industry. The researchers determined that there is some agreement on definitions for project delivery and innovation, but that academia and industry need to develop a better mutual understanding of innovative project delivery and barriers to and opportunities for innovation in the construction industry.
Innovation in Construction: A Critical Review and Future Research
The construction industry has been recognized for its conservatism and lack of innovation. In order to improve the success rate of construction innovation, the implementation of innovations within the context of construction has been discussed and developed. Literature in this area focuses extensively on construction innovation, and yet does not contain a systematic review. This paper looks to fill this gap by providing a systematic review of construction innovation. The review synthesizes the conclusions and shows the implementation of construction innovation. Collaboration, culture, innovation process, and drivers are identified as critical factors to improve the performance of construction innovation. Finally, the limitations of prior studies in construction innovation are discussed and recommendations made for areas of future study.
An Analysis of Construction Innovation Literature
2005
The importance of innovation in construction has been widely advanced. This paper analyses the most recent research in the field of construction innovation and offers an overview of what and how aspects of innovation have been studied in different construction contexts. Peer-reviewed journal articles from the last decade are coded and analysed to reveal the construction focus, innovation fundamentals and prominent research features of the literature. A research agenda based on the findings of the analysis and the future research suggestions of the journal articles reviewed is presented to extend and enhance construction innovation research.