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Diffusion of systemic innovations in the construction sector
Halmstad University, School of Business, Engineering and Science, Centre for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Learning Research (CIEL), Sustainability, Innovation and Management in Building (SIMB).ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8766-1957
2018 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

The amount of research dealing with innovation has increased dramatically, construction management research included. This thesis focuses on innovations with inter-organizational effects, systemic innovations, which may radically change and improve the construction process. The overall aim of the thesis is to contribute understanding of diffusion of systemic innovations in the construction sector through the study of two different types of systemic innovations, Building Information Management and Multi-Story Housing in Timber (MSHT). It explores what facilitates and hinders innovation diffusion, with a special focus on knowledge integration and mechanisms used in the diffusion process and their effects on knowledge development. The studies conducted were made in a Swedish context related to two separate companies work with diffusing the innovations, using a broad approach with different data collection methods.

The research departures in the interplay between the innovation content, context and process through which diffusion take place, displaying differences in how diffusion precedes and is affected. Where organizations are situated in the construction process and their ability to control the diffusion process is influential and diffusion is affected by established traditions and work procedures. For MSHT other structural materials form obstacles, while for BIM it is established work procedures and methods. Environmental pressure drives diffusion of MSHT and both innovations are supported by active clients. Diffusion also requires financial resources depending on the size of investment and associated risks. The cases show advantages with moving activities from projects into a continuous business that delivers to projects, where simplifying implementation is central. Mainly due to complexity, developing in steps enables simplifications and adjustments towards users in a controlled manner. MSHT to a higher degree depends on performing real projects for development and diffusion than BIM, which can be tested to a larger extent before diffusing into the real environment. MSHT in particular show a difference in relation to many traditional models of innovation and innovation diffusion where tests are assumed possible.

The research relates to and has emphasized interaction and dynamics in the diffusion process and has provided additional understanding for managing complexity in the diffusion process. Projects are the most crucial knowledge integration mechanism with many underlying mechanisms, since they are a result of the development and show consequences of work performed. The applicability of codified knowledge in combination with more interactionintensive mechanisms has been shown and the introduction of the knowledge type’s domain-specific, procedural and general knowledge, complementing the current use of tacit and explicit knowledge, has provided additional understanding for diffusion and related knowledge flows. There are however differences in how knowledge types develop for the innovations. General knowledge is more influencing for BIM, while MSHT is about developing domain-specific knowledge. MSHT is about learning something new, while for BIM it is about re-learning. Findings show relevance in both using and developing the framework of innovation in organizations by Rogers (2003) for future diffusion studies in construction management research as well as the necessity of developing knowledge concerning implementation.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Halmstad: Halmstad University Press, 2018. , p. 114
Keywords [en]
Construction Sector, Innovation Diffusion, Systemic Innovation, Knowledge Integration, Knowledge Development
National Category
Construction Management
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-36248ISBN: 978-91-87045-82-0 (print)ISBN: 978-91-87045-83-7 (electronic)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hh-36248DiVA, id: diva2:1181375
Public defence
2018-02-01, O104, Kristian IV:s väg, Halmstad, 13:00 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2018-02-08 Created: 2018-02-08 Last updated: 2018-02-08Bibliographically approved
List of papers
1. Diffusing systemic innovations: Influencing factors, approaches and further research
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Diffusing systemic innovations: Influencing factors, approaches and further research
2016 (English)In: Architectural Engineering and Design Management, ISSN 1745-2007, E-ISSN 1752-7589, Vol. 12, no 1, p. 19-28Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Research about innovation diffusion in construction has considered systemic innovations to a minor extent. Systemic innovations are inter-organizational, relational and require a coordinated change in processes. Systemic innovations like Building Information Modeling and industrialized housing are on the move forward and systemic innovations can be considered important to diffuse within the construction sector. Most likely, they provide great impact on productivity in construction. The aim of this paper is to discuss factors influencing the diffusion of systemic innovations, approaches and areas for future studies. Previous research on systemic innovations is complemented with inter-organizational research in construction and research using the Industrial Network Approach. Of the many factors influencing the diffusion a key seems to relate to long-term relationships since they enable development and learning necessary for diffusion. The main complexities are also related to the project-based work method in combination with different degrees of interdependencies: in projects, between projects and within the construction chain. In turn this has effects on interaction between individuals. Further research should preferably be conducted with broad approaches that validate and nuance current constructs, capture the dynamics in the diffusion process and thereby add understanding for the diffusion of systemic innovations. © 2015 Taylor & Francis.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Abingdon: Earthscan Publications Ltd., 2016
Keywords
Systemic innovations, diffusion, influential factors, approaches, construction
National Category
Construction Management
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-29986 (URN)10.1080/17452007.2015.1092942 (DOI)000374343400003 ()2-s2.0-84947129313 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2015-12-09 Created: 2015-12-09 Last updated: 2018-03-22Bibliographically approved
2. Exploring effects of the interplay of context, content and process for supplier innovation diffusion
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Exploring effects of the interplay of context, content and process for supplier innovation diffusion
(English)Manuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

This research explores the interplay between innovation content, innovation context and the innovation diffusion process in a reinforcement supplier's work with diffusing different types of innovations. An important part is to gain understanding of what facilitates and complicates innovation diffusion in the construction industry context from a supplier perspective. The interpretative research presented builds on 28 semistructured interviews with the supplier and its customers and document studies. Three types of innovations were studied to explore how the dimensions innovation content, innovation context and the innovation process interacts in the diffusion process. The findings provide details concerning how the dimensions interact, influencing factors and how the diffusion process may unfold over time. It provides an example of how dynamics and detail in the diffusion process can be captured and the approach can be with additional concepts and frameworks. Besides the supplier perspective and the inter-organizational setting, it also emphasizes the necessity of researching the innovation process and how it may differ depending on the impact on affected parties.

National Category
Construction Management
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-36246 (URN)
Available from: 2018-02-08 Created: 2018-02-08 Last updated: 2019-01-14Bibliographically approved
3. Diffusion of a systemic innovation: A longitudinal case study of a Swedish multi-storey timber housebuilding system
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Diffusion of a systemic innovation: A longitudinal case study of a Swedish multi-storey timber housebuilding system
2017 (English)In: Construction Innovation, ISSN 1471-4175, E-ISSN 1477-0857, Vol. 17, no 1, p. 25-44Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to identify factors that influence the diffusion of a systemic innovation in the Swedish construction sector. The focus is on high-rise multi-storey timber housing; the development of which was enabled by a change in building regulations. This allowed building higher than two stories in timber.

Design/methodology/approach - A longitudinal case study was used with multiple data collection methods to study the development and diffusion of a multi-storey timber house system by a case study organisation.

Findings - The findings contribute to understanding for a number of interacting factors influencing the diffusion of a systemic innovation related to the case study organisation.

Originality/value - The research provides a holistic view of interacting factors influencing the diffusion of a systemic innovation. The results have value to the Swedish construction sector and to the global community of construction researchers, as it provides empirical findings that further increase the understanding for diffusion of systemic innovations in a specific context. 

© Emerald Publishing Limited

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2017
Keywords
Sweden, Case study, Diffusion, Multi-storey housebuilding, Systemic innovation, Timber construction
National Category
Construction Management
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-35607 (URN)10.1108/CI-11-2015-0061 (DOI)000413356900003 ()2-s2.0-85008441692 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2017-12-04 Created: 2017-12-04 Last updated: 2018-02-08Bibliographically approved
4. Construction projects as mechanisms for knowledge integration: mechanisms and effects when diffusing a systemic innovation
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Construction projects as mechanisms for knowledge integration: mechanisms and effects when diffusing a systemic innovation
2018 (English)In: Engineering Construction and Architectural Management, ISSN 0969-9988, E-ISSN 1365-232X, Vol. 25, no 11, p. 1516-1533Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Purpose - The aim of this research is to study knowledge integration (KI) when diffusing a systemic innovation. The objectives are to understand what mechanisms are used, and when and what their effects are in terms of knowledge development.

Design/Methodology/Approach - The method comprised a longitudinal case study which followed a firm’s attempts to develop and diffuse a timber multi-storey building system (the systemic innovation) over a number of projects.

Findings - The findings emphasize actual projects as the most crucial activity for KI and when and why soft personalization mechanisms and codified knowledge should be mixed.  Furthermore, it shows how different types of knowledge is built up including construction process effects over a series of projects.

Research limitations/implications -  The research contributes with knowledge about mechanisms for the diffusion of a specific systemic innovation type and provides input regarding mechanisms to use. The introduction of the concepts ‘domain-specific’, ‘procedural’ and ‘general knowledge’ into construction has increased understanding of innovation diffusion and knowledge flows and where and how they are integrated.

Practical Implications – The research shows how knowledge develops and through which mechanisms, and where problems occur. Construction organisations can learn from this to avoid mistakes and potentially better understand how to manage knowledge to diffuse a systemic innovation.

Originality/value - The research provides insight into systemic innovation diffusion over a series of projects and focuses on both projects and the construction process. © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2018
Keywords
Knowledge management, Innovation, Case study
National Category
Construction Management
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-36247 (URN)10.1108/ECAM-02-2017-0022 (DOI)000447885000006 ()2-s2.0-85055321245 (Scopus ID)
Note

As manucript in thesis

Available from: 2018-02-08 Created: 2018-02-08 Last updated: 2020-05-08Bibliographically approved
5. Diffusing building information management: knowledge integration, mechanisms and knowledge development
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Diffusing building information management: knowledge integration, mechanisms and knowledge development
2017 (English)In: Architectural Engineering and Design Management, ISSN 1745-2007, E-ISSN 1752-7589, Vol. 14, no 5, p. 347-362Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Building Information Management (BIM) is a systemic inter-organizational innovation predicted to have a great impact on the efficiency of the construction process. An enabler for its diffusion is knowledge integration (KI). This research investigates KI mechanisms used by a Concrete Reinforcement Supplier and its customers in the diffusion of BIM and BIM-related solutions. The research employs a qualitative approach with multiple data-collection methods at two different points in time. BIM diffusion and KI are viewed here as emergent and iterative processes, understood from a supplier perspective. The research examines the interaction between context, content of the diffusing innovation and the diffusion process. Knowledge development from the KI process has been assessed by exploring the interaction between (1) domain-specific knowledge, (2) procedural knowledge and (3) general knowledge, complementing the established emphasis on tacit and explicit knowledge found in relevant construction management research. The findings indicate that general knowledge needs to be high for increased BIM diffusion and the research raises the need to develop procedural knowledge both from a practical and research perspective. © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Abingdon: Earthscan Publications Ltd., 2017
Keywords
Building information management, innovation diffusion, systemic innovations, knowledge integration mechanisms, knowledge development
National Category
Construction Management
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-35839 (URN)10.1080/17452007.2017.1394260 (DOI)000440026000003 ()2-s2.0-85032674248 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2017-12-13 Created: 2017-12-13 Last updated: 2020-03-20Bibliographically approved

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