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Leaders and champions for construction innovation

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  • C. H. Nam
  • C. B. Tatum

Abstract

Based on empirical studies of the role of key individuals in the processes of ten successful innovations in the US construction industry, this paper makes three principal arguments. First, effective leadership is essential for technological innovation - in particular in construction. Second, technological competence is an utmost prerequisite for effective leadership for construction innovation - regardless of the size of the firm. In other words, an entrepreneurial role as a technical champion in a small firm does not change even as the firm grows. Lastly, the role of technical champion can be delegated only with slack resources and adequate power. This paper also highlights conclusions and practical applications to increase technological innovation in design and construction firms.

Suggested Citation

  • C. H. Nam & C. B. Tatum, 1997. "Leaders and champions for construction innovation," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(3), pages 259-270.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:conmgt:v:15:y:1997:i:3:p:259-270
    DOI: 10.1080/014461997372999
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Allen, Steven G, 1985. "Why Construction Industry Productivity Is Declining," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 67(4), pages 661-669, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Andy Cosh & Xiaolan Fu & Alan Hughes, 2005. "Management characteristics, collaboration and innovative efficiency: evidence from UK survey data," Working Papers wp311, Centre for Business Research, University of Cambridge.
    2. Bossink, B.A.G., 2003. "Coinnovation research : manual for experiential research into organizational coinnovation," Serie Research Memoranda 0016, VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Economics, Business Administration and Econometrics.
    3. Dedy Dewanto Soeprapto, 2022. "The characteristic of follower’s personal mastery: A case in Indonesian construction industry," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 11(6), pages 657-669, September.
    4. Sihem Ben Mahmoud-Jouini, 2000. "Innovative supply-based strategies in the construction industry," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(6), pages 643-650, December.
    5. Bossink, B.A.G., 2002. "The development of co-innovation strategies: stages and interaction patterns in interfirm innovation," Serie Research Memoranda 0020, VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Economics, Business Administration and Econometrics.
    6. Dedy Dewanto Soeprapto, 2021. "Correlation between knowledge exchange & combination (KEC) and leader member exchange (LMX)," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 10(4), pages 169-182, June.
    7. Berardi, Umberto, 2013. "Stakeholders’ influence on the adoption of energy-saving technologies in Italian homes," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 520-530.
    8. Shen, Huayu & Hou, Fei, 2021. "Trade policy uncertainty and corporate innovation evidence from Chinese listed firms in new energy vehicle industry," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    9. Yanchun Zhang & Junwei Zheng & Amos Darko, 2018. "How Does Transformational Leadership Promote Innovation in Construction? The Mediating Role of Innovation Climate and the Multilevel Moderation Role of Project Requirements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-19, May.
    10. Jan Bröchner, 2010. "Innovation in Construction," Chapters, in: Faïz Gallouj & Faridah Djellal (ed.), The Handbook of Innovation and Services, chapter 31, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    11. Manley, Karen, 2008. "Against the odds: Small firms in Australia successfully introducing new technology on construction projects," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(10), pages 1751-1764, December.
    12. Marija Mosurović Ružičić & Mirjana Miletić & Marina Dobrota, 2021. "Does a National Innovation System Encourage Sustainability? Lessons from the Construction Industry in Serbia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-19, March.
    13. Bossink, Bart A.G., 2004. "Effectiveness of Innovation Leadership Styles: A Manager’s Influence on Ecological Innovation in Construction Projects," Serie Research Memoranda 0027, VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Economics, Business Administration and Econometrics.
    14. Tomonari Yashiro, 2001. "A Japanese perspective on the decline of robust technologies and changing technological paradigms in housing construction: issues for construction management research," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(3), pages 301-306.
    15. Wei Wang & Shoujian Zhang & Yikun Su & Xinyang Deng, 2019. "An Empirical Analysis of the Factors Affecting the Adoption and Diffusion of GBTS in the Construction Market," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-24, March.
    16. Michael Himmel & Matti Siemiatycki, 2017. "Infrastructure public–private partnerships as drivers of innovation? Lessons from Ontario, Canada," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 35(5), pages 746-764, August.
    17. Na Zhao & Congcong Lei & Hui Liu & Chunlin Wu, 2022. "Improving the Effectiveness of Organisational Collaborative Innovation in Megaprojects: An Agent-Based Modelling Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-21, July.
    18. Kesidou, Sofia & Sovacool, Benjamin K., 2019. "Supply chain integration for low-carbon buildings: A critical interdisciplinary review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1-1.
    19. Dedy Dewanto, 2020. "The characteristic of Leader-member Exchange (LMX) relationship between leader and follower: A case in construction industry," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 9(6), pages 77-90, October.
    20. Mohamed Zennouche & Jian Zhang & Bo Wen Wang, 2014. "Factors influencing innovation at individual, group and organisational levels: a content analysis," International Journal of Information Systems and Change Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 7(1), pages 23-42.
    21. Mohammed Fadhil Dulaimi & Madhav Prasad Nepal & Moonseo Park, 2005. "A hierarchical structural model of assessing innovation and project performance," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(6), pages 565-577.
    22. Bossink, Bart A.G., 2004. "Managing drivers of innovation in construction networks," Serie Research Memoranda 0015, VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Economics, Business Administration and Econometrics.
    23. Mustafa Kemal Topcu & Ali Gursoy & Poyraz Gurson, 2015. "The Role of the Servant Leadership on the Relation between Ethical Climate Perception and Innovative Work," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(1), pages 67-80.
    24. Dedy Dewanto, 2022. "The characteristic of leader innovativeness, a case in Indonesian’s construction industry," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 11(8), pages 153-165, November.
    25. Fabian Unterlass, 2010. "Innovation im Bauwesen. Determinanten des Innovationsverhaltens österreichischer Bauunternehmen," WIFO Monatsberichte (monthly reports), WIFO, vol. 83(9), pages 767-780, September.

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