Laborde, M and Sanvido, V (1994) Introducing new process technologies into construction companies. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 120(3), pp. 488-508. ISSN 0733-9364
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.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Index terms: | innovative company, partnership, case study, new technology, construction industry, construction company |
| Subjects: | organization, data collection methods, innovation studies, innovation and technology management, partnership management, industry analysis |
| Topics: | Stakeholder Management, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Engineering Principles |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here