Thesis-2001-Motawa.pdf (7.48 MB)
Download fileSimulating the implementation of technological innovations in construction
thesis
posted on 2018-06-29, 13:43 authored by Ibrahim A. MotawaIntroducing new technologies or innovative processes can enhance construction
efficiency and enable organisations to achieve objectives of lowering costs,
continuous improvement and competitive advantage. New ideas have to show
significant benefits before they are accepted. Despite of the differences between the
construction and manufacturing industries, opportunities are still available to leam
from manufacturing approaches to innovation.
A fundamental challenge facing construction innovation is the way that construction
organisations plan and control the implementation of innovation where many projects
do not fulfil their time and cost objectives. Management should not only improve
techniques for planning and scheduling but also allow managers to assess and
simulate the anticipated performance resulting from innovation .. According to this
assessment, managers would be more able and perhaps more ready to accept new
processes/products or iterate the implementation process until a satisfactory level of
performance has been achieved. Intangible benefits offered by advanced construction
technologies are hard to quantify using traditional economic analysis techniques. This
could result in the rejection of a potentially profitable idea. Benefits to be gained
from improvements in operational efficiency are measured by cost and time-savings
and increasing productivity. These benefits, in addition to intangible benefits, need to
be measured and quantified.
Simulating the implementation process of innovation has not been addressed,
although many models have been developed to describe the innovation process in
construction which considered implementation as a sequential process incorporating
iterations. [Continues.]
History
School
- Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering