Robinson, W G; Chan, P W and Lau, T (2016) Sensors and sensibility: Examining the role of technological features in servitizing construction towards greater sustainability. Construction Management and Economics, 34(1), pp. 4-20. ISSN 01446193
Abstract
The role played by the technological development of products in shaping more sustainable ways of working in the built environment is examined through a case study of a systems integrator of mechanical and electrical systems in the UK construction industry, ConstructCo. They are exploring ways in which they can improve the through-life performance of their systems through servitization. The aim was to understand how and why emergent technological features, stimulated by embedding new sensors within their systems, were affording different user groups within the organization’s value chain to act in more servitized ways. The case analysis found that new energy-metering sensors were integral to the development of greater transparency between ConstructCo and their clients. Equally evident were the various ways in which equipment-condition monitoring sensors were shaping a collective motive across ConstructCo’s supply chain towards exploring the justification for implementing predictive maintenance. The role played by new sensor technology in shaping ConstructCo’s pursuit of servitization highlights the need for research to pay greater attention to material agency when explaining how organizational practices accommodate the implementation and use of technological developments in construction. Furthermore, using servitization as the research context offers fresh insights into transitioning towards greater servitization in construction.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | sensors; servitization; sustainability; technological features; technological innovation |
| Index terms: | motive, value chain, case study, implementation, construction industry, transparency, monitoring, built environment, technological innovation, user group, predictive maintenance, material agency, servitization |
| Subjects: | contractual arrangements, innovation and technology management, psychology, control systems, data collection methods, client relations, infrastructure and transport systems, industry analysis, market strategies, sociology, value chain strategy, professional development, maintenance engineering |
| Topics: | Site Management, Supply Chain Management, Human Resources, Urban Studies, Procurement, Stakeholder Management, Engineering Principles, Information Management, Research Practice, Business Strategy |
| 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