Strategies for technology push: Lessons from construction innovations

Based on examples of successful construction innovation, this paper makes four principal arguments. First, the notion that owner's demands or problems dominate the innovation process in construction is largely a myth. Second, in most successful processes of construction innovation, technology plays a critical role in inducing owner's demands as well as in formulating problems. Third, in light of the importance of technology in the innovation process in construction, a proactive technology leadership strategy is more feasible than commonly thought. Fourth, effective implementation of technology-push strategy requires continuous research and development (R&D) efforts that are integrated but informal in nature. Implications and conclusions from these findings include: Development of technical capability in specific areas can provide a basis for innovation and competitive advantage, incremental improvement through persistant efforts at all levels of the organization can produce significant long-term advantages, and viewing technology as a broad opportunity for improvement can arm firms with solutions for project innovation.