Shibeika, A (2014) Diffusion of digital innovation in a project-based firm: Case study of a UK engineering firm. In: Raiden, A and Aboagye-Nimo, E (eds.) Proceedings of 30th Annual ARCOM Conference, 1-3 September 2014, Portsmouth, UK.
Abstract
Digital innovations are rapidly diffusing within the construction sector. With the UK government policy mandating building information modelling (BIM) by 2016, engineering firms are faced with challenges related to embedding new technologies and associated working practices for the digital delivery of major infrastructure projects. Drawing from diffusion of innovations theory, this research attempts to answer the question of: how digital innovation diffuses in the firm? It adopts a contextualist approach through in-depth case study of a large and international engineering project-based firm. The analysis of the empirical data, which was collected over four years of close interaction with the firm, provides a narrative for the diffusion of the digital innovation across the firm where both the innovation and the firm were in flux. The diffusion process has evolved through three main mechanisms: centralisation of technology management, standardisation of digital working practices, and globalisation of digital resources. This case has both theoretical and practical implications; it describes the diffusion of a digital innovation in a complex social system. This extends diffusion of innovations studies in construction, and guide engineering firms in their efforts to adopt and implement new innovations.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | digital technology; diffusion of innovation; case study; project-based firm |
| Index terms: | standardization, narrative, government policy, globalization, interaction, infrastructure project, digital technology, construction sector, diffusion of innovation, building information modelling, project-based firm, case study, technology management, new technology, drawing, social system, working practice, engineering firm |
| Subjects: | economic factors, information systems, behavioral psychology, industry analysis, infrastructure and transport systems, professional development, qualitative and interpretive research, social theory, firms, management, performance measurement, innovation and technology management, public policy, technical documentation, innovation studies, computing systems, organization, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Digital Applications, Design Practice, International Construction, Quality Management, Roles and Professions, Governance, Business Strategy, Information Management, Engineering Principles, Research Practice |
| 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