Construction Innovation – An Annotated Bibliography[1]

By Christine K. Miller[2], Robert I. Carr, Ph.D., P.E.[3], and Wilfred Cheung[4]

Abstract: This annotated bibliography covers journal articles, conference proceedings, books, and dissertations on construction innovation and in some cases general industrial innovation. References to the most current Internet sites that promote and disseminate information about innovations in construction are included as a special section. The primary target was general literature on construction innovation management, methods, implementation, technology transfer, models, and history. Most articles that dealt with a particular construction innovation such as a new construction material or a new piece of construction equipment were not included. Some references describe manufacturing models and applications that can be used in construction.

introduction

This annotated bibliography covers journal articles, conference proceedings, books, and dissertations on construction innovation and in some cases general industrial innovation. References to the most current Internet sites that promote and disseminate information about innovations in construction are also included as a special section. The primary target was general literature on construction innovation management, methods, implementation, technology transfer, models, and history. Most articles that dealt with a particular construction innovation such as a new construction material or a new piece of construction equipment were not included. Some references describe manufacturing models and applications that can be used in construction. The earliest reference is an article on industrial innovation in 1978. Articles dealing directly with construction innovations emerged primarily in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

EDITORIAL PROCEDURES

A number of resources were used to locate the literature included in this bibliography. The University of Michigan MCAT Library Catalog served as a starting point. From there searches were run in different index databases such as: Wilson Indexes to Journal Articles, Engineering Index Online, and American Society of Civil Engineers Online Database. Many of the articles, books, and dissertations included a list of references and these in turn were included in the bibliography. Various Internet search engines were used to generate the web site section.

The annotations were written by the authors of this bibliography solely to describe the original literature in a succinct manner so construction people and students can easily and quickly survey the literature on construction innovation to select, obtain, and study that which is most pertinent to their interests and needs. The writing style is brief and terse to be quickly read, and it departs from normal grammar that would make it less succinct. Annotations have not been reviewed or endorsed by original authors, and they should not be used as substitutes or surrogates for the original sources. We apologize for inaccuracies or errors we may have made in our interpretation and reporting.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was funded through the Construction Innovation Scholar Program of the Construction Innovation Forum. The CIF recognizes and encourages innovation in the construction process or in materials, design, equipment, detailing, contract administration, labor relations, management, training, procurement and other areas through its Scholar Program, annual NOVA Awards and Innovation Celebration Banquet, Internet Web Site www.cif.org, NOVA Awards Mock Jury, and support of other construction innovation programs and awards.

Abernathy, W. J. and Utterback, J. M. (1978). “Patterns of Industrial Innovation.” Technology Review, MIT Press, 80(11), 40-47.

Presents a model of patterns in innovation within companies as they mature; fluid pattern, transitional pattern, and specific pattern. The capacity and methods of innovation evolve as companies move from small technology-based enterprises to high-volume producers. Argues that small, entrepreneurial organizations and larger organizations producing standard products in high volume are at opposite ends of a spectrum. Technological innovation in high-volume product industries such as light bulbs, paper, and steel tend to produce incremental innovations and rely on mass marketing and economies of scale. This specific pattern results in cost reduction and is the driving force behind these innovations. The fluid pattern is associated with the identification of an emerging need or a new way to meet an existing need. This is entrepreneurial in nature. Companies producing product innovations from the fluid pattern tend to be in affluent markets located near universities and research institutions. These organizations are usually small and have greater flexibility and adaptability. Their product innovation offers superior functional performance and tends to offer higher unit profit margins. As a company develops a product towards large-scale manufacturing, the innovation goals, which were once ill-defined and uncertain targets, become well-articulated design objectives. Maturing companies become more formal and develop more levels of authority. Understanding this transition can help companies to continue innovating.

Ahmad, I. (1991). “Restructuring Responsibility and Reward for More Construction Innovation.” Preparing for Constr. in the 21^st Century: Proc., Constr. Congress 1991, L. M. Chang, editor, ASCE, 453-458.

Proposes restructuring current U.S. contract systems to facilitate innovation. Problems and obstacles that discourage technology innovations are identified: liability, government regulations, codes, and performance risks. Modified contract systems allow forces responsible for innovation to be motivated and rewarded for their efforts. Competitive bidding impedes innovation, because it provides little margin for a contractor to implement new techniques or upgrade quality of its current product. Discussion of construction as a service industry and as a job-shop manufacturing process is used to describe types of innovation. Two basic models of contractual relationships are presented based on the service concept and job-shop concept. Concludes that innovation is possible only when major participants (owner, designer, contractor) are committed. Design-build contract provides best atmosphere for innovation, because it changes adversary relationship between designers and builders into a joint venture relationship. Product and process innovations become responsibility of one entity, the design-build firm.

Bauman, R. D., and Kracum, J. J. (1995). “Innovation – What More Can We Do?” Proc., 1995 Constr. Conference, C. W. Ibbs, editor, ASCE, 65-69.