Interorganizational Diffusion of Prefabricated Construction Technology: Two-Stage Evolution Framework
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 146, Issue 9
Abstract
Prefabricated construction (PC) is considered to be a low-carbon construction method in most cases, and PC technology drives advances in PC. The interorganizational diffusion of PC technology transcends organizational boundaries to achieve resource sharing, which transforms technology from theory to practice and from innovation to economic benefits. Existing research mainly focuses on developing and applying PC technology but ignores its interorganizational diffusion process. Understanding the interorganizational diffusion of PC technology is important for government policymaking. This paper looks at how PC technology is diffused among PC companies. A two-stage evolution framework was proposed based on social network theory. Using China’s PC-related cooperative patent data, macro diffusion characteristics and micro partner selection mechanisms underpinning its evolution were explored. The results revealed the scale-free feature of the interorganizational diffusion of PC technology and provided preferred collaborators for PC companies. This study advances theoretical systems of both PC and technology diffusion and can assist government and PC companies in improving diffusion performance.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code generated or used during the study are available from the corresponding author by request (including the patent data for constructing the initial WDN, and the models and code used for the two-stage evolution framework).
Acknowledgments
This study was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (Nos. 2016YFC0701800 and 2016YFC0701808). The work described in this paper was also funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (Grant Nos. 71671053, 71771067, and 71841024) and the National Social Science Fund of China (18ZDA043).
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Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 146 • Issue 9 • September 2020
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© 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Aug 10, 2019
Accepted: Apr 29, 2020
Published online: Jul 7, 2020
Published in print: Sep 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Dec 7, 2020
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