ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of R&D investment and impact in the Canadian construction industry. The construction industry historically has contributed 5-8.5 per cent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). Gross domestic expenditure on research and development (GERD) represents the total R&D conducted in a country. The ratio of GERD to gross domestic product (GDP) is a standard measure for a country's R&D effort. Labour productivity plays an important role in construction economics. Working to tackle industry-wide issues from interconnected R&D hubs is both effective and economical. As the construction industry becomes more globalised in nature, projects rapidly increase in societal, political, legal, economic and financial complexity. This complexity is compounded by simultaneous rapid advances in information and communications technology, increasing volumes of available information, and the analytical challenges that follow. Personnel in diverse roles representing academic institutions, Governments, private companies, trade associations, and labour unions must collaborate if Canadian construction efforts are to remain globally competitive.
