Technology-Oriented Innovation in Construction: A Conceptual Mapping Framework

Abstract

Compared to conventional construction practices, Off-site Construction (OSC) offers many potential benefits including improved safety, shorter construction time, reduced costs, and better-quality construction. Despite these potential benefits, offsite construction continues to account for only a small percentage of the construction market in Canada. Currently, there is a need for a strategic roadmap that will help direct efforts in research and innovation with a goal of improving the adoption of OSC practices in Canada. The first step of such a roadmap is to identify the current state of the OSC industry. This paper presents a conceptual framework for mapping and benchmarking technological innovation that draws from similar frameworks in other publications to develop a model specific to off-site construction. It proposes the use of a maturity model as a means for benchmarking the current maturity of technological innovation, measuring progress, and identifying maturity gaps or areas for supporting decisions about identifying potential improvements. The paper introduces a six-dimensional framework for measuring technological innovation that includes (1) Research maturity (2) Industry acceptance, (3) Application areas, (4) Sectors of technology, (5) Time, and (6) Context. It includes a discussion of the development and thinking behind the model and concludes with a proposed approach to implementation.