Pan, W; Dainty, A R J and Gibb, A G F (2004) Managing innovation: A focus on off-site production (OSP) in the UK housebuilding industry. In: Khosrowshahi, F (ed.) Proceedings of 20th Annual ARCOM Conference, 1-3 September 2004, Edinburgh, UK.
Abstract
In addressing problems in housebuilding, several government-backed reports have suggested that off-site production (OSP) could be the solution to both improving quality of construction and addressing skills constraints. However, the industry has been slow to innovate and adopt OSP techniques. There is also an apparent lack of understanding how to adopt OSP appropriately. This research aims to review concepts of innovation and OSP within the context of the UK housebuilding industry, identify the drivers for and barriers against OSP, explore the underlying reasons and variables which determine these drivers and barriers, and ultimately develop a framework for the industry to better understand OSP and appropriate strategies to facilitate sustained innovation and appropriate OSP applications. Results from exploratory interviews with key stakeholders from the industry suggest that technical, human and industrial barriers are highly integrated and inhibit OSP applications. Human perceptions grounded in historic and recent failings, the fragmented nature of the industry's structure and its risk averse culture were found to be significant. Several case studies will be carried out to further explore how key stakeholders can be encouraged to utilise OSP techniques appropriately in a way which overcomes the barriers identified.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | appropriate strategy; drivers and barriers; housebuilding industry; managing innovation; off-site production |
| Index terms: | housebuilding, off-site production, managing innovation, strategy, interview, case study |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, innovation studies, construction integration, management, manufacturing engineering |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCE |
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