Model for Systematic Innovation in Construction Companies
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 140, Issue 4
Abstract
The reasons that drive construction companies to innovate, as well as the processes they use, have not yet been fully explored in the construction management literature. This paper describes the “hows” and “whys” behind the push for innovation in a construction company. The research method is founded on the validation of a model developed by a case study; this is focused on a medium-sized construction company which implemented and certified an innovation management system, as established by a Spanish standard. The studies conducted by the authors over a five-year period generated a set of 18 propositions reflecting an explanatory model of innovation management. This paper reports on the external validation of this model by means of a set of interviews; the results fully corroborate 15 of these propositions. The strongest drivers of innovation in construction companies are technical problems in construction projects, client requirements, and upper management. Innovation opportunities are identified as a result of examination of the internal processes of the company, the construction projects, and the environment. Identifying, developing, and transferring an innovative solution require the implementation of technological watch and knowledge management in the organization. Finally, the research concludes that the main benefit of innovation management is an increase in the company’s technical capability, whereas the two main barriers to innovation are the prioritization of production processes and the lack of support from the leaders of the company.
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Acknowledgments
This research was partially funded by the Universidad Católica del Maule (project MECESUP-UCM0205), the Spanish Ministry of Infrastructure (project 2004-36), and the Universitat Politècnica de València (contract UPV-20050921). The authors would like to thank Ricardo Lacort, Francisco J. Vea, and Manuel Civera for their collaboration and support, and José C. Teixeira for his advice. Likewise, the authors thank the anonymous reviewers for their suggestions and constructive comments.
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Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 140 • Issue 4 • April 2014
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 7, 2012
Accepted: Feb 13, 2013
Published online: Jan 6, 2014
Published in print: Apr 1, 2014
Discussion open until: Jun 6, 2014
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