Industry environment features influencing construction innovation in a developing country: a case study of four projects in Ghana

This paper adds to the literature on innovation studies in developing economies by exploring features of the industry environment that drive project-based innovation. Using a conceptual framework of five key innovation determinants and a multiple case study, the study draws on evidence from four construction projects in Ghana by means of interviews. Nine features identified include: active pre-existing relationships among project participants; multinational networks; project actors with the willingness and ability to override contract conditions; presence of innovation lobbyists; manufacturers not owning proprietary products; manufacturers' lack of production capacity; prescriptive-based regulations mandating foreign professionals to form joint ventures with local professionals; high labour turnover; and emergent social media platforms. The results advance knowledge on the operation of the key innovation determinants in developing countries. Some of the findings contrast some key observations in broader literature on the impacts of the general industry environment on innovation.