Implementation of innovative technologies in small-scale construction firms: Five Australian case studies
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management
ISSN: 0969-9988
Article publication date: 21 March 2016
Abstract
Purpose
The users of construction technologies such as builders and trades people have been acknowledged as sources of potentially important innovations. These innovations may be in the form of safer, less labour intensive, or cheaper methods and processes. The purpose of this paper is to assess whether the Australian construction industry is providing an environment where user-based innovation is being supported and implemented.
Design/methodology/approach
An explorative study was undertaken to provide an insight into actual experiences of the implementation of user-based innovation. The data were collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews providing case studies on multiple aspects of the implementation of innovative construction technologies. The cases involved a cross section of advances, including product, tool, and system technologies.
Findings
The main motivation behind developing the technologies was problem solving. The associated industries of manufacturing and retail, as well as consultants within the construction industry present the greatest barriers to implementation.
Originality/value
This research provides a better understanding of the factors that are preventing the successful implementation of user-based innovative construction technologies in small firms.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support from the Sichuan University Humanities and Social Sciences Hundred Young Talents Program, Sichuan Province Hundred Talents Program, and National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) under the project No. 71371131.
Citation
Shelton, J., Martek, I. and Chen, C. (2016), "Implementation of innovative technologies in small-scale construction firms: Five Australian case studies", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 23 No. 2, pp. 177-191. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-01-2015-0006
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited