Innovation in Small Construction Firms Spon Research Series

Innovation in Small Construction Firms promotes the benefits of innovation, and stimulate innovation capability within and between small and medium sized (SMEs) construction firms in an effort to bring in a new 'can innovate, should innovate, want to innovate' culture to the construction industry. Presenting new theoretical and practical insights and models grounded in descriptive case studies, the issues addressed include:

• what is the motivation to innovate?
• what is appropriate innovation?
• how can small construction firms create, manage and exploit innovation?
• what practice-based models, tools and techniques support the capability of small construction firms to innovate well?
• how does this fit in the context of leading international work in construction innovation?

Findings are contextualised in the broader literature to make them of relevance to policy makers, practitioners and researchers interested in small, project-based firms in general.

1. Introduction 2. Innovation Demystified 3. Case Study Investigation 4. Focus and Outcome of Innovation 5. Organisational Capabilities for Innovation 6. Context of Innovation 7. Process of Innovation 8. The Role of Technology Transfer in Innovation Within Small Construction Firms 9. Conclusion

Peter Barrett is Pro Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Salford, UK

Martin Sexton is Associate Head of Research in the School of Construction & Property Management, University of Salford, UK

Angela Lee is the Programme Director of Architectural Design & Technology at the School of Construction & Property Management, University of Salford, UK