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Appropriate innovation in small construction firms

Author

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  • Martin Sexton
  • Peter Barrett

Abstract

Innovation-led performance improvement in the construction industry is significantly influenced by the innovation performance of small firms. There is a dearth of research investigating innovation from the perspective of the small construction firm. This paper contributes to this underdeveloped area by offering relevant empirically based results. The findings stress the important role that owners of firms play in successful innovation. The type of innovation undertaken, and the different organizational factors which are brought into play, is shown to depend on the characteristics of the interaction environment in which the firm is operating. Small construction firms need to incrementally nurture, or identify and move into, supportive enabling interaction environments. This is achieved through an integrated development of a firm's business strategy and market positioning, organization of work, technology and people. The process of innovation is demonstrated to be subject to cyclical peaks and troughs as the progress of the innovation competes with day-to-day pressures. Small construction firms have their own distinctive characteristics, which are profoundly different from those of large construction firms. The implication for policy is that any initiatives geared toward improving appropriate innovation need to appreciate these differences.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Sexton & Peter Barrett, 2003. "Appropriate innovation in small construction firms," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(6), pages 623-633.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:conmgt:v:21:y:2003:i:6:p:623-633
    DOI: 10.1080/0144619032000134156
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Jingxiao Zhang & Hui Li & Steve Hsueh-Ming Wang, 2017. "Analysis and Potential Application of the Maturity of Growth Management in the Developing Construction Industry of a Province of China: A Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-36, January.
    2. José Giménez & Antonia Madrid-Guijarro & Antonio Duréndez, 2019. "Competitive Capabilities for the Innovation and Performance of Spanish Construction Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-24, October.
    3. Jan Bröchner, 2010. "Innovation in Construction," Chapters, in: Faïz Gallouj & Faridah Djellal (ed.), The Handbook of Innovation and Services, chapter 31, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    4. Manley, Karen, 2008. "Against the odds: Small firms in Australia successfully introducing new technology on construction projects," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(10), pages 1751-1764, December.
    5. Hao Lu & Pardis Pishdad-Bozorgi & Guangbin Wang & Yingxia Xue & Dan Tan, 2019. "ICT Implementation of Small- and Medium-Sized Construction Enterprises: Organizational Characteristics, Driving Forces, and Value Perceptions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-20, June.
    6. Jingxiao Zhang & Haiyan Xie & Klaus Schmidt & Hui Li, 2015. "A New Systematic Approach to Vulnerability Assessment of Innovation Capability of Construction Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-25, December.
    7. Faïz Gallouj & Faridah Djellal (ed.), 2010. "The Handbook of Innovation and Services," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 12872.
    8. Butzin, Anna & Rehfeld, Dieter, 2008. "Innovationsbiographien in der Bauwirtschaft," Forschung Aktuell 10/2008, Institut Arbeit und Technik (IAT), Westfälische Hochschule, University of Applied Sciences.
    9. Emrah Acar & Ismail Kocak & Yildiz Sey & David Arditi, 2005. "Use of information and communication technologies by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in building construction," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(7), pages 713-722.
    10. Fabian Unterlass, 2010. "Innovation im Bauwesen. Determinanten des Innovationsverhaltens österreichischer Bauunternehmen," WIFO Monatsberichte (monthly reports), WIFO, vol. 83(9), pages 767-780, September.

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