Diffusing systemic innovations: influencing factors, approaches and further research

ABSTRACT

Research about innovation diffusion in construction has considered systemic innovations to a minor extent. Systemic innovations are inter-organizational, relational and require a coordinated change in processes. Systemic innovations like Building Information Modeling and industrialized housing are on the move forward and systemic innovations can be considered important to diffuse within the construction sector. Most likely, they provide great impact on productivity in construction. The aim of this paper is to discuss factors influencing the diffusion of systemic innovations, approaches and areas for future studies. Previous research on systemic innovations is complemented with inter-organizational research in construction and research using the Industrial Network Approach. Of the many factors influencing the diffusion a key seems to relate to long-term relationships since they enable development and learning necessary for diffusion. The main complexities are also related to the project-based work method in combination with different degrees of interdependencies: in projects, between projects and within the construction chain. In turn this has effects on interaction between individuals. Further research should preferably be conducted with broad approaches that validate and nuance current constructs, capture the dynamics in the diffusion process and thereby add understanding for the diffusion of systemic innovations.

KEYWORDS:

• Systemic innovations
• diffusion
• influential factors
• approaches
• construction

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.