Lavikka, R; Seppänen, O; Peltokorpi, A and Lehtovaara, J (2020) Fostering process innovations in construction through industry–university consortium. Construction Innovation, 20(4), pp. 569-586. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose: University research efforts have not been effective in developing lasting impacts on operations management in construction because of inadequate coordination between academia and industry. This study aims to describe the development of an industry–university (IU) relationship which has enabled the conduct of practically and scientifically relevant research. Design/methodology/approach: Design science research was carried out between 2016 and 2019 to build a consortium between a university and 17 design, construction, technology and logistics companies for enabling process innovations in construction. The consortium conducted industry-funded research on various topics, such as takt production, lean design management, prefabrication, measurement of waste and business models supported by digitalisation. The academic and practical impacts of the consortium’s research projects were investigated through a survey and in-depth company interviews. Findings: The paper presents a conceptual model for creating an IU relationship to support scientifically and practically relevant research. The model includes network architects who mobilised consortium development and a joint governance body that developed a shared long-term vision and selected research topics based on this vision. The results show that using the model’s approach, the consortium selected research topics that have led to both academic publications and process innovations in construction. Originality/value: Using empirical data, this study describes how to create a win-win IU innovation relationship that enables the implementation of process innovations into the construction sector and, at the same time, the conduct of scientific research in construction management.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | consortium; construction; design science research; industry–university relationship; operations management; process innovation |
| Index terms: | interview, digitalization, design science research, survey, design management, methodology, operations management, construction sector, publication, consortium, governance, architect, academia, business model, implementation, prefabrication, coordination |
| Subjects: | business, data collection methods, research dissemination and communication, profession, digital technology, contractual arrangements, research methods, management, design practice, design process, building construction, educational institutions, partnership management, industry analysis |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Digital Applications, Education, Organizational Design, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Information Management, Roles and Professions, Stakeholder Management, Procurement, Construction Technology, Governance |
| 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