Dou, Y; Xue, X; Wu, C; Luo, X and Wang, Y (2020) Interorganizational diffusion of prefabricated construction technology: Two-stage evolution framework. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 146(9): 04020114, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Prefabricated construction (PC) is considered to be a low-carbon construction method in most cases, and PC technology drives advances in PC. The interorganizational diffusion of PC technology transcends organizational boundaries to achieve resource sharing, which transforms technology from theory to practice and from innovation to economic benefits. Existing research mainly focuses on developing and applying PC technology but ignores its interorganizational diffusion process. Understanding the interorganizational diffusion of PC technology is important for government policymaking. This paper looks at how PC technology is diffused among PC companies. A two-stage evolution framework was proposed based on social network theory. Using China's PC-related cooperative patent data, macro diffusion characteristics and micro partner selection mechanisms underpinning its evolution were explored. The results revealed the scale-free feature of the interorganizational diffusion of PC technology and provided preferred collaborators for PC companies. This study advances theoretical systems of both PC and technology diffusion and can assist government and PC companies in improving diffusion performance.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | China; interorganizational diffusion network; partner selection; prefabricated construction technology; two-stage evolution |
| Index terms: | low-carbon construction method, construction technology, partner selection, interorganizational, social network theory, evolution, China, organizational boundary |
| Subjects: | partnership management, sociology, sustainable engineering, Geography, environmental science, business, digital engineering |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Digital Applications, Stakeholder Management, Sustainability, Business Strategy, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Geographical Context |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
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