Hadiwattege, C; Senaratne, S; Sandanayake, Y and Fernando, N G (2018) Academic research in emerging knowledge-based economies: The case of Sri Lankan construction industry. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 8(4), pp. 415-428. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
Purpose: Knowledge-based economies are popular in the present world. Simultaneously, universities are becoming more responsible for leading economic development through research. As a key contributor to the national economy, it is vital for the construction industry to move beyond outdated practices, and hence, reviewing the role of academic research in empowering the construction industry with knowledge is essential. The purpose of this paper is to focus on how relevant theories conceptualise the expected role of academic research in the innovative development of an industry and the specific location in the Sri Lankan construction industry. Design/methodology/approach: Following a comprehensive literature review, empirical data were collected from the Sri Lankan context with a mixed approach informed by a pragmatist philosophical stance. The perspective of academia and industry practitioners were deductively obtained through surveys and inductively explored through qualitative interviews. Findings: This study provides evidence that academic research in Sri Lanka does not contribute effectively to innovative construction management. Due to the absence of industry-focussed knowledge dissemination strategies, the academic–industry relationships are mostly non-research based. The industry lacks in research-informed-decision making, leading to lesser innovations. Research limitations/implications: The research conclusions are more applicable to the developing country construction industry contexts. Practical implications: The research urges the need for improved academic–industry research collaborations and strategic knowledge dissemination movements. Originality/value: The research confirms that academic research is a major integral part of the developing construction industry in a knowledge-based economy. In establishing the expected role of academic research, the research revealed the current practice to be under-located. Hence, the research prescribes the necessary actions; research collaborations in major and subsequent requirements.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | academic research; construction management; innovation theories; knowledge dissemination; knowledge utilization; knowledge-based economies; research collaborations |
| Index terms: | strategy, literature review, innovation theory, survey, developing country, economic development, interview, becoming, movement, construction industry, knowledge dissemination, collaboration, methodology, decision-making, evidence, national economy, practitioner, Sri Lanka, academia |
| Subjects: | decision analysis, educational institutions, philosophical process, industry analysis, research methods, management, economic development, theoretical framing, development economics, Geography, economic analysis, data analysis and analytics, evaluation and assessment methods, data collection methods, research dissemination and communication, health behaviours and lifestyles, practitioner |
| Topics: | Risk Management, Roles and Professions, Sustainability, Business Strategy, Information Management, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Education, Organizational Design, International Construction |
| 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