ABSTRACT
Previously, drivers of the development, design, and realization of innovations in construction have been explored under headings like “innovation leaders” and “innovation champions” [e.g., Nam and Tatum 1997; Bossink 2004a], “interfi rm innovation networks” [e.g., Bröchner and Grandison 1992; Korczynski 1996; Lampel, Miller, and Floricel 1996; Robertson, Pearson, and Ball 1996; Bossink 2004b], and “innovation stimulating regulations” [e.g., Bernstein 1996; Larsson 1996; Gann, Wang, and Hawkins 1998; Guy and
Kibert 1998; Bon and Hutchinson 2000; Ngowi 2001; Seaden and Manseau 2001]. Several drivers applying to diff erent levels in the network of cooperating organizations in the construction supply chain have been identifi ed [e.g., Tatum 1989; Nam and Tatum 1992a; Winch 1998; Gann and Salter 2000; Bossink 2004b]. Th ese levels include three levels: the industry level [Pries and Janszen 1995], the institutional and fi rm level [Winch 1998], and the construction project level [Lampel, Miller, and Floricel 1996]. Th e key question here is how innovation can be managed eff ectively in the construction supply chain at these three levels [Nam and Tatum 1989; Veshosky 1998; Winch 1998; Mitropoulos and Tatum 1999; Barlow 2000; Koskela and Vrijhoef 2001; Miozzo and Dewick 2002]. Th is paper reports a research project that was aimed at fi nding answers to this question. Th e main question of the research was: How can innovation be managed at the various levels of cooperation in the construction supply chain? Th e two related subquestions were: What are, according to the literature, the main innovation management tools in the construction supply chain? At which levels of cooperation do these innovation management tools stimulate innovation in construction practice?
