Jansson, G; Lundkvist, R and Olofsson, T (2015) The role of experience feedback channels in the continuous development of house-building platforms. Construction Innovation, 15(2), pp. 236-255. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose - This paper aims to describe how the experience feedback (EF) from building projects contributes to product platform development in house-building companies. House-building companies seek improvements to decrease costs, improve flow and decrease variability. Industrialised concepts using predefinitions in product platforms have provided a way of storing and reusing knowledge in project-based house-building organisations. However, the innovation in platforms is mainly incremental and based on EF from implementations in projects. Design/methodology/approach - Qualitative data were gathered via interviews, archival studies and observations, and analysed to identify the underlying structures used to manage the incorporation of EF during platform development. Four different EF channels were studied at one Scandinavian house-builder. The data are explained using an analytical framework based on diffusion of innovation, product platforms and EF. Findings - EF is distributed over the value chain to improve the platform over time. By using multiple channels with differing contents, it is possible to balance client demands and variation with production efficiency. Platform development using feedback channels provides opportunities for double-loop learning. Operative work on projects and the strategic decisions made by developers continuously improve the platform through a combination of knowledge pull and push. Originality/value - A combination of different EF channels and strategies for developing knowledge pull are shown to be essential for the incremental development of product platforms in project-based house-building organisations. The development of product platforms requires a shift away from the construction industry’s dominant project focus towards a more product-oriented view of house-building. Integrating the design phase with the supply chain enables variety but also creates a need for continuous platform development.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | knowledge management,innovation,construction management,housing,housing design,organisational learning |
| Index terms: | design phase, implementation, construction industry, operative, variability, diffusion of innovation, efficiency, value chain, platform, variation, methodology, housing design, product platform, analytical framework, housing, knowledge management, organizational learning, interview, feedback channel, strategy, builder |
| Subjects: | management, communication studies, performance management, research methods, contractual condition, digital design, design process, professional development, value chain strategy, industry analysis, statistical analysis, construction type, data collection methods, practitioner, data analysis and analytics, contractual arrangements, innovation and technology management, professional practice |
| Topics: | Contract Administration, Quality Management, Supply Chain Management, Design Practice, Digital Applications, Procurement, Construction Technology, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Information Management, Engineering Principles, Business Strategy |
| 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