Technology adoption and innovation patterns in construction industry in Saudi Arabia: An exploratory study

摘要

It has been widely recognized that technological innovation is essential for the economic development of all nations. Yet, this topic has hardly been attended to in many sectors outside manufacturing industries and in most countries outside the developed world. In seeking to contribute to filling this knowledge gap, the purpose of this research is to explore the patterns of technological innovation in the construction industry (a sector long neglected by technology researchers) in Saudi Arabia (a rapidly developing country undergoing technological change without clear disposition).;In a country case study, the research addresses the issues of innovative behavior and organizational posture of engineering and construction (E&C) firms; technology support infrastructure among government, academic, and research organizations; cooperation linkages within the construction system; and opportunities and challenges for construction innovation in Saudi Arabia. The research uses a hybrid approach design. The core data was obtained from local E&C firms and government and semigovernment engineering departments using questionnaire surveys, and from local universities and research centers using interview techniques. The quantitative and qualitative analyses revealed some important findings. A pattern of modest technology penetration, dormant innovative activity, and limited boundary spanning activity prevails among most respondent E&C firms. Yet, organizational platform indicates positive potential for innovative climate among many firms. In general, engineering firms display more progress in the pursuit of technology and more propensity to innovate than construction firms. The research also reveals some inadequacies in the technology support infrastructure in government, academic, and research organizations; and in their cooperation linkages with E&C firms.;The study provides significant implications for industry professionals in attending to technology strategy, structure flexibility and external cooperation; for research community in addressing construction R&D and technology, and contacts with industry; and for policy makers in dealing with technological dependency, rigid regulations, and industry fragmentation.