Managing the implementation of construction innovations

This study investigates some factors that need to be considered in the management of innovation implementation within construction project organization. The main objective was to find explanatory variables that significantly affect the benefits of an innovation to project team members and the project as a whole. As part of a larger study on innovation in Singapore's construction industry, a survey was conducted and data from 58 projects that had adopted innovations in Singapore were collected via mailed questionnaire. The questionnaire requested respondents to provide specific data about their projects, the type of innovations adopted and the enablers and barriers to innovation. Four main categories of factors were found to significantly affect the extent to which an innovation will benefit project team members and the project. These are: the level of interest of project team members; working environment; formation of task groups; and the capabilities of the people involved in the innovation. Research questions relating to modelling innovation success are posed for further study.