Chen, X; Zhu, W; Chen, Y and He, Q (2025) Improving collaborative innovation performance in megaprojects: A system dynamic approach. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 32(8), pp. 5099-5131. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose – The development and evolution of stakeholder collaborative innovation in megaprojects is impacted by various influencing factors. The effect of influencing factors on collaborative innovation performance (CIP) in megaprojects is not a simplistic linear relationship but an iterative and non-linear relationship that requires a dynamic perspective to analyze. Therefore, this paper adopts the system dynamic (SD) approach to investigate the dynamic and interactive relationships between the CIP and the influencing factors. Design/methodology/approach – The study first develops a research framework with the system boundary of "CIP system – organizational collaboration subsystem – knowledge collaboration subsystem – strategic collaboration subsystem". Then, the causal relationship model, the stock-flow model, and the mathematical equations were determined based on the literature review and the expert interviews. Finally, five performance improvement scenarios were designed according to the practice context of CIP in megaprojects, and simulations were performed using the Vensim PLE software to investigate the CIP from a dynamic perspective. Findings – The findings reveal that the effect of different influencing factors on CIP grows non-linearly, with the cumulative effect becoming more pronounced as time advances. The incentive mechanism has the most significant effect, and the combined effect of multiple influencing factors has a highly significant facilitating effect on improving CIP. Strategic collaboration, organizational collaboration and knowledge collaboration are mutually conditional and reinforcing with each other, which ultimately promotes the improvement of CIP. Originality/value – This study uncovers the inherent pattern and the interactive dynamic mechanism of factors for improving CIP in the context of megaprojects. It enriches the theoretical research in the area of collaborative innovation in megaprojects and provides practical management strategies for improving CIP.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | collaborative innovation performance; influencing factors; megaproject; system dynamics |
| Index terms: | influencing factor, management strategy, becoming, innovation performance, performance improvement, interview, literature review, collaboration, system dynamics, methodology, evolution, megaproject |
| Subjects: | strategic project management, environmental science, philosophical process, research methods, data analysis and analytics, computing systems, risk assessment, data collection methods, performance measurement, management |
| Topics: | Risk Management, Sustainability, Project Management, Quality Management, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Organizational Design, Digital Applications |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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