Akindele, Olabode Akinkunmi (2026) Innovation strategies for small and medium-sized construction companies in Nigeria. DBA thesis, Walden University, USA.
Abstract
The lack of innovation strategies in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the construction industry undermines productivity. Managers of construction SMEs in Nigeria are concerned about developing and implementing effective innovation strategies because without innovation, productivity and economic growth may stagnate. Grounded in the technology-organization-environment framework, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify effective innovation strategies that managers of construction SMEs in Nigeria implement to increase company productivity. The participants were eight managers from construction SMEs in southwestern Nigeria who had successfully implemented innovation strategies. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed through thematic analysis. Four themes emerged: (a) use of information and communication technology tools, (b) business strategies, (c) human resource development, and (d) advocacy. A key recommendation is for managers of construction SMEs to adopt smartphone technology and drone applications for remote supervision to improve health and safety practices. The implications for positive social change include the potential to improve infrastructure delivery, empower the workforce, and enhance the contribution of construction SMEs to local economies in Nigeria.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Gottleib, Franz |
| Index terms: | productivity, drone, infrastructure delivery, construction industry, construction company, supervision, innovation strategy, interview, economic growth, thematic analysis, local economy, business strategy, manager, health and safety practices, information and communication technology, human resource, Nigeria |
| Subjects: | Geography, industry analysis, methods and analysis, economic development, computing systems, automation and robotics, data collection methods, control systems, management, practitioner, organization, business, strategic project management, occupational health and safety management, economic analysis |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Business Strategy, Sustainability, Geographical Context, Project Management, Digital Applications, Roles and Professions, Human Resources, Health and Safety |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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