Construction Innovation and Process Improvement

Innovation in construction is essential for growth. The industry strives to remain competitive using a variety of approaches and needs to engage structured initiatives linked to proven innovation concepts, techniques and applications. Even in mature markets like the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector, where business behaviour is generally considered as being risk averse, it is increasingly important to embed innovation into mainstream business practices. In Construction Innovation and Process Improvement a number of wide ranging issues from construction practice in different countries with different contexts are presented to provide a rich collection of literature embracing theory and practice. Chapters are divided into three broad themes of construction innovation relating to: Theory and Practice; Process Drivers; and Future Technologies. Several questions are posed, including for example: What is particularly unique about construction innovation in theory and practice? What are the major drivers of construction innovation? What factors are needed to support and deliver future construction technologies? In attempting to respond to such questions, the book sheds new light on these challenges, and provides readers with a number of ways forward, especially cognisant of the increased role of globalisation, the enhanced impact of knowledge, and importance of innovation. All these can have a significant impact on strategic decision-making, competitive advantage, and sustainable policies and practices. Part One deals with change management, technology, sustainable construction, and supply chain management; Part Two addresses innovation and process improvement drivers, including strategic management, concurrent engineering, risk management, innovative procurement, knowledge management; Part Three explores future technologies in construction and particularly, how these can be harnessed and leveraged to help procure innovation and process improvement.

Innovation in construction is essential for growth. The industrystrives to remain competitive using a variety of approaches andneeds to engage structured initiatives linked to proven innovationconcepts, techniques and applications. Even in mature markets likethe Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector, wherebusiness behaviour is generally considered as being risk averse, itis increasingly important to embed innovation into mainstreambusiness practices.In Construction Innovation and Process Improvement anumber of wide ranging issues from construction practice indifferent countries with different contexts are presented toprovide a rich collection of literature embracing theory andpractice.Chapters are divided into three broad themes of constructioninnovation relating to: Theory and Practice; Process Drivers; andFuture Technologies. Several questions are posed, including forexample: What is particularly unique about construction innovationin theory and practice? What are the major drivers of constructioninnovation? What factors are needed to support and deliver futureconstruction technologies?In attempting to respond to such questions, the book sheds newlight on these challenges, and provides readers with a number ofways forward, especially cognisant of the increased role ofglobalisation, the enhanced impact of knowledge, and importance ofinnovation. All these can have a significant impact on strategicdecision-making, competitive advantage, and sustainable policiesand practices.Part One deals with change management, technology, sustainableconstruction, and supply chain management; Part Two addressesinnovation and process improvement drivers, including strategicmanagement, concurrent engineering, risk management, innovativeprocurement, knowledge management; Part Three explores futuretechnologies in construction - and particularly, how thesecan be harnessed and leveraged to help procure innovation andprocess improvement.

Chapter 1 Introduction: Learning from other industries.Chapter 2 Innovation and changes in industrial practice.Chapter 3 Management of Change.Chapter 4 Lean production.Chapter 5 Integrated manufacturing.Chapter 6 Concurrent Engineering.Chapter 7 Materials requirements planning.Chapter 8 Just-in-Time manufacturing.Chapter 9 Supply chain management.Chapter 10 Knowledge management applications.Chapter 11 Quick response systems - Agile manufacturing.Chapter 12 Electronic data interchange.Chapter 13 Radio Frequency Identification Devices