Creative Innovation in Spanish Construction Firms
Publication: Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 142, Issue 1
Abstract
Small-sized and medium-sized contractors are characterized by organizational structures that are highly focused on control. As a result, employees concentrate on day-to-day activities with little time or motivation to generate creative ideas. Generally, the technological improvements of these companies arise as a result of problem-solving at the construction site. Nevertheless, the actual status quo is changing. Some Spanish public agencies are already considering innovation as an added value in public procurement; thus, large contractors are starting to systemize their innovative efforts. This means that small-sized and medium-sized enterprises must modify their attitudes towards innovation in order to sustain their competitiveness. The implementation of a system that enhances innovation and acquisition of knowledge may be the solution to overcome this disadvantage. The implementation of an innovation management system was analyzed in a Spanish construction firm of medium size for 9 years. The system builds on a set of processes aimed to generate innovation projects that allow the contractor to document the innovation, not only for internal purposes related to knowledge management, but also for external ones associated with obtaining better results in public tenders. These processes are as follows: (1) technology watch, (2) creativity, (3) planning and executing innovation projects, (4) technology transfer, and (5) protection of results. The final step is the feedback of the entire process through the assessment of the final outcomes. The implementation of the innovation system is ensured within the organization, through training of personnel, participation of stakeholders, and encouragement of the innovation culture.
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Acknowledgments
The research reported in this paper was partially funded by the Universidad Católica del Maule (UCM) [Project Mejoramiento de la Calidad y Equidad de la Educación Superior (MECESUP)-UCM0205], the Spanish Ministry of Infrastructure (Project 2004-36), and the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) (Contract UPV-2008-0629). Francisco Vea, Ricardo Lacort, and Manuel Civera are thanked for their help and support throughout the implementation of the system. Dr. Debra Westall is thanked for revising the text.
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Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 142 • Issue 1 • January 2016
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© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 22, 2014
Accepted: Mar 20, 2015
Published online: Apr 29, 2015
Discussion open until: Sep 29, 2015
Published in print: Jan 1, 2016
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