Innovating a global industry

Citation

Peace, S. (2010), "Innovating a global industry", Construction Innovation, Vol. 10 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/ci.2010.33310daa.001

Innovating a global industry

Article Type: Guest editorial From: Construction Innovation, Volume 10, Issue 4

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) plays an important role in bringing together myriad construction professionals, not least: researchers, practitioners, education and training providers, and policy makers. The core rationale of the CIOB is to help nurture, develop, promote and implement new ideas and methods across the industry (for more information, please contact: speace@ciob.org.uk). Part of this remit culminates in the prestigious International Innovation and Research Awards, which highlights research excellence and innovative practice and processes; along with the Tony Gage Scholarship Award, which supports future leaders of the industry, and promotes advanced research. This special issue presents one extended viewpoint paper titled “Facilitating innovation in construction: directions and implications for research and policy,” followed by four extended research papers specially selected from the CIOB’s International Innovation and Research Awards.

The first paper, by Mike McEvoy and Ryan Southall, describes an innovative approach to whole-house ventilation solutions with heat reclaim – specifically, how to achieve good indoor air quality in airtight buildings. This research combines “supply air” windows and passive stacks to form a system that is completely natural, and which operates without the use of electricity. The low-carbon ventilation system presented is purported to offer several benefits over conventional approaches, especially in airflow management. This work builds upon previous research in this area surrounding airtight buildings, air quality, ventilation, and energy performance. The research approach adopted used extensive laboratory studies, test cells, simulated models, and real buildings to provide this unique solution. Research findings demonstrate that U-values down to 0.6 W/m²/°C can be achieved, along with a reduction in overall household heating consumption of 20 percent.

The second paper, by Brian Dangerfield, Stuart Green, and Simon Austin, investigates construction competitiveness using system dynamics. In this respect, the interrelationships that can often affect competitiveness are analysed dynamically, rather than from a static perspective. The research methodological approach adopted engages systems dynamics as a means for practitioners to explore “microworlds,” through which decisions can be analysed holistically. Of key importance is the recognition that the sector’s capabilities are not rooted within individual firms, but are embedded within complex networks. This innovative approach also embodies case-study research to provide a much deeper and richer understanding of the forces that can often shape the sustained competitiveness of construction firms. This work provides a new perspective on construction competitiveness research, and challenges readers to reflect upon these findings (particularly from a contextual perspective) not least, cognisant of the way in which the future research agenda in this field is being shaped.

The third paper, by Setya Winarno, Alan Griffith, and Paul Stephenson, highlights the importance of understanding earthquake risks to non-engineered buildings in Indonesia. In simple terms, “non-engineered” buildings are often, arbitrarily designed, inadequately regulated, and poorly built. This work embodies a range of social and technical issues, not least: building types, regulatory design and construction processes, etc. The research methodology used a triangulated approach to capture and analyse data from multiple perspectives in order to fully appreciate the nuances and interrelationships of both “hard” and “soft” interfacing issues. Research findings highlighted core reasons why earthquake-related building codes are not applied more readily to non-engineered buildings; more specifically, where agents of change could be leveraged to improve the actions of building codes in order to not only minimise risk to life, but also improve the quality and sustainability of the existing building infrastructure. Research findings are also acknowledged as being relevant to other earthquake-vulnerable zones within the wider Asia-Pacific region.

The final paper by, Fred Rawlinson and Peter Farrell, provides a unique insight into construction site health and safety management. This research used a desk study approach to analyse data from 20 large contracting organisations’ web sites in the UK in order to gauge viewpoints and awareness for future thinking and direction in this area. The research approach adopted used content analysis to establish thinking and direction, and tease out core motivators and influences, especially cognisant of: corporate social responsibility, health and safety directives, and government agenda. Research findings note that health and safety management seems to be embracing goal setting, and that contemporary direction may be focussing on “presentational” issues, rather than methods and processes of implementation. Furthermore, this paper acknowledges that industry direction appears to correlate with government approaches, and that academia seems to influence industry through government (rather than through a direct conduit) – the inference being that better relationships could more readily support further innovation benefits in this area.

Sarah PeaceGuest Editor