Initial use of an idea capture app in a UK construction organisation

Davies, R. and Harty, C. (2014) Initial use of an idea capture app in a UK construction organisation. In: 30th Annual ARCOM Conference, 1-3 Sept 2014, Portsmouth, U.K., pp. 987-996.

Abstract/Summary

We report some results from an ongoing action research project to improve creativity, innovation diffusion and knowledge transfer in a large UK construction organisation and its supply-chain. Our focus is on the use of an interactive mobile and desktop app that enabled employees to submit, share, discuss and develop innovative ideas. We use longitudinal system data to determine: how many users register on the system, how many ideas are submitted, how many users actively contribute ideas, and where in the organisation ideators are based. The paper describes the background and organisational context of a company-wide initiative to promote an ‘innovation culture’ and to implement innovation management systems and processes. We describe the development and specifications of the app, associated innovation portfolio management processes, and the communication and change management activities that accompanied its launch and rollout. We discuss this analysis in terms of existing models of employee creativity and voice and previous research on suggestion schemes, ideas capture and innovation competitions in construction and other industries.