Tatum, C B (2018) Construction engineering research: Integration and innovation. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 144(3): 04018005, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Construction engineers play a major role in the built environment by designing construction facilities and field operations and supplying materials. This paper summarizes and synthesizes the results of a research program to increase understanding and effectiveness of two key construction engineering focus areas: integration of project activities, and increasing innovation. Key findings related to project integration include planning activities to improve constructability and foster use of major construction methods. The integration research also included identifying constructability knowledge and using project models to increase its availability for designers. The second main theme of the research is process and product innovation. This investigation used case studies of innovative projects to identify major differences. This increased understanding led to overall findings regarding innovative design and construction organizations and projects and to highlight recommendations for practical applications to increase the scope and rate of innovation in practice. Both parts of the paper contribute to the core body of knowledge regarding construction engineering activities and their vital role in improving project performance in meeting cost, schedule, safety, quality, and sustainability objectives.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | case studies; construction technology; integration champion; organization and management for innovation; process integration; product innovation; project integration |
| Index terms: | constructability, construction technology, construction engineering, project performance, investigation, effectiveness, design and construction, built environment, engineer, designer, product innovation, case study, body of knowledge, program, integration, construction method |
| Subjects: | engineering methods, construction integration, software systems, performance management, project management theory and practice, organizational analysis, building construction, infrastructure and transport systems, data collection methods, profession, digital engineering, innovation studies, contractual arrangements, knowledge management |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Urban Studies, Digital Applications, Design Practice, Site Management, Organizational Design, Engineering Principles, Information Management, Research Practice, Project Management, Business Strategy, Procurement, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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