Lowe, J G (1996) Technological change and construction. Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, 1(2), pp. 65-94. ISSN 1366-4387
Abstract
This paper presents an analysis of the process of technical change in the UK construction industry. It outlines the long-term approach of Joseph Schumpeter and the linkage between trade cycles and innovation. The paper commences with a review of the economic theory of technical change illustrated with examples from the four long Kondratieff cycles from the industrial revolution onwards. Technical change in the construction industry is analysed over this period and some distinguishing features are identified. Case studies are presented of the development of framed structures and the introduction of non-traditional housing notably system building and timber framed construction. An empirical analysis is undertaken covering the period from 1935 to 1990 to assess the impact of technical change on the construction process. The analysis appears to confirm the widely held view that the UK construction sector is remarkably resistant to change. There may be a degree of justification for this conservatism given the problems experienced with radical innovation in, for example, housing technology.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | invention, innovation, diffusion, construction, technology |
| Index terms: | construction process, construction sector, housing, case study, linkage, economic theory, technological change, system building, construction industry |
| Subjects: | industry analysis, business, data collection methods, building construction, economic analysis, construction type, innovation studies |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Construction Technology, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Site Management |
| 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