Understanding of labelling and sustaining of innovation in construction: a sensemaking perspective

Abstract

Over the last few decades, innovation has been investigated in a variety of ways, reflecting upon different orientations and interests. However, the question of how organizational activities become recognized as innovations remains under-examined. The purpose of this paper is, therefore, to understand and explain how narratives of innovation are mobilized by construction sector practitioners. In order to achieve the aim, 30 semi-structured interviews were carried out with UK construction sector practitioners who have engaged with the Constructing Excellence organization. A sensemaking perspective is adopted as a theoretical lens for explaining the interview data. The empirical findings suggest that organizational activities become labelled as innovations through the process of collective inter-subjectivity. Organizational activities become labelled as innovations retrospectively and make sense prospectively. As narratives of innovation can be repeated and recalled, storytelling lends to the process of sustaining legitimacy.