Pries, F and Janszen, F (1995) Innovation in the construction industry: The dominant role of the environment. Construction Management and Economics, 13(1), pp. 43-51. ISSN 01446193
Abstract
In this research paper the innovative and strategic behaviour of the construction industry and the companies within that sector are analysed. In other sectors, but in particular for builders, a clear relationship with their environment is shown. When these external circumstances are positive the industry is apparently very capable of innovation. Recently we have noticed increasing environmental turbulence, which will have an enormous impact on management. Companies in the construction industry will have to compete in a more extrovert and marketdriven way and they will have to reconsider their capabilities. Specialization and diversification on various subjects are probably the most important strategic choices. Innovation creates possibilities of achieving competitive advantage, but only when managed properly. The existing 'engineers paradigm' in the construction industry will be an important obstacle, but at the end of this process companies will increasingly have the character of what Chandler refers to as 'modern industrial enterprises'.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction industry; innovation |
| Index terms: | builder, specialization, research paper, turbulence, engineer, competitive advantage, construction industry, diversification, paradigm |
| Subjects: | education and knowledge transfer, market analysis, industry analysis, profession, research dissemination and communication, business, practitioner, fluid mechanics |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Engineering Principles, Information Management, Research Practice, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
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