Koch, C and Larsen, C S (2007) User driven innovation in mobile technologies? In: Boyd, D (ed.) Proceedings of 23rd Annual ARCOM Conference, 3-5 September 2007, Belfast, UK.
Abstract
Developing dedicated mobile technology systems for AEC demands the introduction of user driven innovation. A Danish research project collected international examples and user-experiences of mobile and handheld ICT in the building industry i.a. by reading off the functionality of the mobile technology systems relying on the concept of affordance. This paper examines how innovation processes mediate between user orientations and technology offers. There is a great potential for mobile handheld ICT-systems to support numerous work processes in the AEC-industry and this can be substantiated by systems already in function. Stories of prior business successes can be an important tool to ensure further innovative investments since lack of enterprise strategies is often an obstacle for innovation, especially user driven. Both small and large software houses develops dedicated software for coupling site practises, and headquarters - inspired by specific user needs for optimising work processes. The most important mechanisms evoked for creating the mediating found in the paper are 'hybrids' where professionals from AEC establishes a software house, developing ICT-products for specific on-site processes. On the other hand generic technologies are also widely implemented in routine and day-today activities, making mobile technologies in construction a mix of user and technology driven innovations.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | users; innovation; mobile technologies; affordance |
| Index terms: | strategy, functionality, coupling, site process, routine, mobile technology, affordance, building industry, user need |
| Subjects: | user-centered design, operations management, design features, digital technology, management, sociology, behavioral psychology, systems engineering, industry analysis |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Design Practice, Site Management, Organizational Design, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 2 PC |
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