The utilisation of construction management research

The research is concerned with innovation and the utilisation of organisational and management research in the construction industry. A review is made of the general non-construction-specific literature on innovation and utilistion as well as construction-specific literature. A number of empirical studies are introduced and discussed in detail. A range of theories are provided of the constraints to innovation and utilisation; the differences between these theories are reconciled. Constraints on innovation and the utilisation of research exist at many levels (the individual manager, the group, the organisation, and the industry) and arise from the complex interaction of economic, technical, social and psychological forces. Some of the most frequent themes in the research are the very long term nature of change in the construction industry, and the need for research findings to be available over extended periods. Another recurring theme is that of the random nature of the take up of research findings and the difficulty of predicting the likely appeal of any specific piece of research. However, certain constraining factors can be identified and an understanding of how these operate can aid innovation and the utilisation of research. The work raises issues about the level to which management and organisational research can be institutionalised since this type of research activity is based on the individual researcher or small team.