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Subcontractor-driven innovation in construction

Bildsten, Louise LU and Bäckström, Izabelle LU (2024) NOFOMA 2024
Abstract
In the construction industry, projects are organized with many different subcontractors that carry out the day-to-day undertakings. There is generally a lack of skilled labour in the construction industry that makes construction lack productivity and become a dangerous workplace. Skilled subcontractors are a neglected group of potential innovators in this industry. The main reason why they are very valuable in innovative work is because they possess in-depth and context dependent knowledge of products, processes and practices at their workplace. This so-called ‘sticky’ knowledge is typically only possessed by the employees and not by higher level managers whose decision-making activities are divorced from the day-to-day undertakings. We... (More)
In the construction industry, projects are organized with many different subcontractors that carry out the day-to-day undertakings. There is generally a lack of skilled labour in the construction industry that makes construction lack productivity and become a dangerous workplace. Skilled subcontractors are a neglected group of potential innovators in this industry. The main reason why they are very valuable in innovative work is because they possess in-depth and context dependent knowledge of products, processes and practices at their workplace. This so-called ‘sticky’ knowledge is typically only possessed by the employees and not by higher level managers whose decision-making activities are divorced from the day-to-day undertakings. We argue that in order the knowledge and experiences of skilled subcontractors needs to be captured and formalized by inclusive project leadership and organization.

Purpose
The purpose of this project is to explore the impact of project leadership and organisation on innovation by subcontractors.

Design/methodology/approach
A literature review is conducted followed by case studies of construction projects.

Findings
The expected findings are situations on how to achieve an innovative work climate.

Research limitations/implications
This work will add knowledge to the existing body of knowledge in project management, and employee-driven innovation.

Practical implications
This work will have practical implications in the management of construction projects.

Social implications (if applicable)
This work could influence policies in the workplace of construction projects.

Original/value
There is limited research concerning the combination of project management and employee-driven innovation in construction. This paper aims to fill this gap. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to conference
publication status
published
subject
conference name
NOFOMA 2024
conference location
Stockholm, Sweden
conference dates
2024-06-12 - 2024-06-14
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
9851bd52-adef-4583-ad2e-84b7d9797c82
date added to LUP
2025-01-27 13:25:08
date last changed
2025-04-04 14:02:21
@misc{9851bd52-adef-4583-ad2e-84b7d9797c82,
  abstract     = {{In the construction industry, projects are organized with many different subcontractors that carry out the day-to-day undertakings. There is generally a lack of skilled labour in the construction industry that makes construction lack productivity and become a dangerous workplace. Skilled subcontractors are a neglected group of potential innovators in this industry. The main reason why they are very valuable in innovative work is because they possess in-depth and context dependent knowledge of products, processes and practices at their workplace. This so-called ‘sticky’ knowledge is typically only possessed by the employees and not by higher level managers whose decision-making activities are divorced from the day-to-day undertakings. We argue that in order the knowledge and experiences of skilled subcontractors needs to be captured and formalized by inclusive project leadership and organization.<br/><br/>Purpose<br/>The purpose of this project is to explore the impact of project leadership and organisation on innovation by subcontractors.<br/><br/>Design/methodology/approach<br/>A literature review is conducted followed by case studies of construction projects.<br/><br/>Findings<br/>The expected findings are situations on how to achieve an innovative work climate.<br/><br/>Research limitations/implications<br/>This work will add knowledge to the existing body of knowledge in project management, and employee-driven innovation.<br/><br/>Practical implications<br/>This work will have practical implications in the management of construction projects.<br/><br/>Social implications (if applicable)<br/>This work could influence policies in the workplace of construction projects.<br/><br/>Original/value<br/>There is limited research concerning the combination of project management and employee-driven innovation in construction. This paper aims to fill this gap.}},
  author       = {{Bildsten, Louise and Bäckström, Izabelle}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{06}},
  title        = {{Subcontractor-driven innovation in construction}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}