INNOVATION PROCESSES IN CONSTRUCTION: TWO CASE STUDIES

ABSTRACT The importance of innovation in construction is increasing. However, until now construction research has mainly focused on the implementation of new ideas and disregarded the interdependencies to previous phases of the innovation process. This paper presents the results of two case studies concerning the whole process of generating, developing and implementing new technologies in construction. The cases revealed institutional leadership and managing part-whole relationships as main problems that prevent a faster introduction of innovative technologies into construction. The paper concludes that fostering innovation in construction requires the early integration of application knowledge into the technology development process and the timely creation of a supportive institutional context