Determinant issues and proposals for the management of innovation in construction companies

Abstract

Construction industry stands for a very important part of the economy in developed and developing countries. Nevertheless, investment in research, development and innovation (R&D&i) in the construction industry is less than in other economic sectors. This paper addresses R&D&i management in construction as another business process, taking into account the possibility of systematizing R&D&i activities using the set of standards UNE 166000. The literature review delivers an affinity diagram that shows the main ideas regarding innovation in the construction industry. Taking into account these previous concepts, a general model of competitiveness focused in innovation is proposed; finally, a model of R&D&i management for construction companies is also displayed. This model states the need to ease the information flow inside the organization, thus the knowledge generated by innovation in construction sites allows a substantial raise in the business competitiveness. The implementation of a systematic innovation process in construction companies presumes the need to build new organizational hierarchies that differ from the current ones.