Introducing New Process Technologies into Construction Companies
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 120, Issue 3
Abstract
The words innovation and technology are considered by many as “not applicable” to the construction industry. Yet when defined in simple terms, they very much apply to every construction company. A new technology is a product or process that a company has not previously used in its operation. Innovation is seeking, recognizing, and implementing a new technology to improve the functions a company is performing. With such definitions in mind, this paper develops a set of guidelines for contractors to successfully introduce new technologies. The present state of innovation in the construction industry and several existing models of innovation are described. Based on this review, a set of questions is developed and used to examine the conditions surrounding six case studies of successful introductions of new technologies. Based on these findings, a process for implementing innovation is proposed and applied to both small and large contractors. Several characteristics of innovative companies are described. Guidelines for the industry to foster innovation is followed by an example of a university‐industry collaborative partnership.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Begoust, D. G., and Willman, A. (1989). “Consulting engineers' research: a practitioner's view.” Constr. Specifier, 42(5), 104–105.
2.
Building for tomorrow: global enterprise and the U.S. Construction industry. (1988). National Academy Press, Washington, D.C.
3.
de la Garza, J. M., and Mitropoulos, P. (1991). “Technology‐transfer (T2) model for expert systems.” J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 117(4), 735–755.
4.
Haggard, R. (1991). Pilot projects: tools for implementation. Pilot Project Action Team, Construction Industry Institute, Austin, Tex.
5.
Lemer, A. C. (1989). “Making building research pay.” Constr. Specifier, 42(5), 92–97.
6.
Moavenzadeh, F. (1985). “Construction's high‐technology revolution.” Technol. Review, 88(7), 32–41.
7.
Rogers, E. M. (1983). Diffusion of innovations, 3rd Ed., Macmillan, New York, N.Y.
8.
Shaffer, L. R. (1985). “Product/system development for military facilities,” Briefing on high technology test bed concept, U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, Champaign, Ill.
9.
Tatum, C. B. (1987). “Process of innovation in construction firm.” J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 113(4), 648–663.
10.
Tatum, C. B. (1989). “Organizing to increase innovation in construction firms.” J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 115(4), 602–617.
11.
Wright, R. N. (1989). “Effects of research on building practice.” Constr. Specifier, 42(5), 98–105.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
Copyright © 1994 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 28, 1993
Published online: Sep 1, 1994
Published in print: Sep 1994
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.