The diffusion of innovations within a UKCI context: An explanatory framework

Larsen, G.D. and Ballal, T.M.A. (2005) The diffusion of innovations within a UKCI context: An explanatory framework. Construction Management and Economics, 23 (1). pp. 81-91. ISSN 0144-6193 doi: 10.1080/0144619042000287750

Abstract/Summary

The UK Construction Industry has been criticized for being slow to change and adopt innovations. The idiosyncrasies of participants, their roles in a social system and the contextual differences between sections of the UK Construction Industry are viewed as being paramount to explaining innovation diffusion within this context. Three innovation diffusion theories from outside construction management literature are introduced, Cohesion, Structural Equivalence and Thresholds. The relevance of each theory, in relation to the UK Construction Industry, is critically reviewed using literature and empirical data. Analysis of the data results in an explanatory framework being proposed. The framework introduces a Personal Awareness Threshold concept, highlights the dominant role of Cohesion through the main stages of diffusion, together with the use of Structural Equivalence during the later stages of diffusion and the importance of Adoption Threshold levels.