Analysis of Innovation in Construction and its Impact

This report delves into the concept of innovation, emphasizing its importance in today's rapidly evolving business environment, particularly within the construction sector. The primary focus is on photovoltaic glazing, a groundbreaking technology that integrates solar panels into building materials to generate electricity. The report explores the benefits of photovoltaic glass, including its ability to convert light energy into electric energy, reduce carbon footprint, and potentially lower energy costs. It also examines the applicability of photovoltaic glass and its impact on the construction industry, as well as the relevant theory of diffusion of innovation, detailing the stages of adoption and the challenges associated with implementing new technologies. The report further outlines the context of using photovoltaic glass, its implementation process, and strategies for overcoming resistance to change, ultimately positioning innovation as a crucial driver for competitive advantage and sustainable development in construction.

Running head- Innovation in Construction
Innovation in Construction

1
Innovation in Construction
Introduction
Innovation is frequently considered as the application of superior solution which meets the new
needs of the market, process, and the people or consumers. In today's world innovation is very
important or even we can say that innovation has become a necessity of business world. The
world is changing very rapidly due to the advancement in technology (O’Cass et al., 2013).
Technology is one of the fastest growing elements which have changed the lifestyle of the
people. The taste and preference of people have changed, and they demand products or services
of superior quality. Due to the advancement in technology the level of competition in the global
as well as domestic market has been increased tremendously. Every organization is competing
with the rival firms either operating in the domestic market or global market. The competition
between the firms is becoming intense day by day and irrespective of the size and capabilities
they are competing in the market (O’Cass et al., 2013). It means a small firm is competing with
the large firm in the same market to survive in the market. Therefore, it is very necessary for
every firm to outdo its competitors. There are various ways through which a firm can outdo its
competitors such as positioning the firm into the mind of consumer differently, segmenting the
market effectively and serve that better, improving the quality of products and services, highly
professional, passionate, and motivated human resource, and innovation. Innovation means
inventing something new that has not been discovered till now. Innovation can be related to
products, services, or process of production. Therefore, the concept of innovation can be defined
as something new, effective and original that breaks into the society or market (Kuipers et al.,
2014). But the concept to be called as innovation must fulfill the following criteria;
 It should be replicable at an economical cost
 It must satisfy the specific need of the people

2
Innovation in Construction
 It should be original and new
 It must create value
An innovative idea
Photovoltaic Glazing: Those building which is integrated with the photovoltaic glazing can
generate their electricity because photovoltaic glazing helps in turning the building envelope into
a solar panel. There are many companies such as Polysolar which provides transparent
photovoltaic glass as a roof and facades, forming windows, and structural building material (Tey
et al., 2014). The photovoltaic glass is a technology used in construction which helps in
conversion of light energy into electric energy. For the purpose of converting light energy into
electric energy, the photovoltaic glass includes transparent photovoltaic cells which are
semiconductor in nature also known as a solar cell. The photovoltaic glasses are not purely
transparent, but we can say that the glasses are semitransparent which enable available light
through.
The building with a substantial amount of photovoltaic glass can generate electricity which is
also known as clean electricity or green electricity. The produced electricity is known as clean
electricity or green electricity because it does not produce pollution and the source of the
electricity is renewable as well. It is also very cost effective and does help in decreasing the
carbon footprint. The benefits of photovoltaic glass are also very much considered in a place
which is characterized by extreme heat. The glass is not fully transparent which prevents the
intensity of the light and helps in saving of air-conditioned cost. It is one of most important
innovation in construction project because it gives a better look to the buildings along with its
benefits (Pandey et al., 2016). It saves one of the most important non-renewable energy that is

3
Innovation in Construction
electricity. Electricity is very essential, or we can say that necessity of life, and without
electricity, nothing can be done. The photovoltaic glasses produce electric energy from solar
energy which is a great innovation.
Argument for its selection and applicability of photovoltaic
The photovoltaic glass helps in generating one of the most important or necessary and non-
renewable energies that is electricity. Electricity has become the necessity of life. Without
electricity, I think nothing is possible in this world. Electricity has changed the life of human
being. It has made our life easier, faster, and cheaper (Pandey et al., 2016). Everything is more or
less dependent on electricity. From the acquisition of raw material to the process of production
the role of electricity is significant. Even from the process of production to the delivery of
product the electricity is very important. As we already know that electricity is a non-renewable
source of energy and if we cannot use it optimally it will end in coming future. Therefore, it is
very necessary to use it optimally as well as try to save as much as we can. Apart from this, we
should also find some alternate source of electric energy for the future use. From this
perspective, photovoltaic glass is very important because it generates electric energy from solar
energy which is renewable (Tey et al., 2014). It saves the wastage of electric energy as well as it
prevents the cost of electricity as well as the cost of air-conditioned. Therefore, the photovoltaic
is very useful for us, and we should consider its usefulness.
The introduction of related theory
The diffusion of innovation theory is developed by E.M Rogers in 1962. The diffusion of
innovation theory is considered as one of the oldest theories of social science. This theory states
at what rate, why, and how the new technology and ideas spread over the time through culture

4
Innovation in Construction
(Salemo et al., 2015). The new ideas or technologies come into existence because of the wastage
of valuable and non-renewable resources. For example- the electricity is a very important source
of energy, and it is being used as anything. Therefore, we need to prevent or avoid the wastage of
valuable resource, i.e., electricity. For this purpose, the new idea of photovoltaic has come into
consideration. The diffusion of innovation also happens because the product which may increase
the productivity of humankind as well as their living style or quality of life but the product fails
to be used. Nowadays, scholars are focusing on sustainable development so that the non-
renewable resources can be saved for the future generation (Salemo et al., 2015). The idea of
sustainable development has also given an edge to the innovation. Apart from this the new
product and service play a significant role in achieving a competitive advantage as well as
profitability and market leadership. The society does not frequently adopt a new product, idea, or
behavior. The adoption of a new idea, process, product, or behavior is a process whereby some
people adopt it early while others are the late adopter (Salemo et al., 2015). This theory has
categories the adopter of new idea, product, or behavior into five categories such as;
i) Innovators: innovators are those people who are interested in new ideas and willing to
take the risk. They want to be the first to try the innovation.
ii) Early adopters: they are the people who are aware of the need for change and ready to
adopt the change, or feel comfortable while adopting new idea, product, or behavior. The
early adopters enjoy the roles of leadership.
iii) Early majority: the early majority are those persons who adopt the new idea, behavior, or
product before the average person. They are rarely leaders.
iv) Late majority: these people do not accept change easily, but when the new product, idea,
or behavior is tried by the majority of the people these people also adopt the change.

5
Innovation in Construction
v) Laggards: these are the people who do not adopt the innovation or new idea, product, or
behavior. These people are bounded by the tradition and are of conservative nature. They
are reluctant to change, and it is very hard to convince them to adopt the change.
Issues associated with innovation and change
From the above theory, we came to know that many people are reluctant to accept the change or
innovation. They are not ready to accept it at any cost and bounded by the tradition. Those
people strictly follow the tradition and do not open any scope for the change. Innovation and
change involve various challenges (Hayes, 2014). These challenges are the following;
i) One of the biggest problems that any society or organization faces is the attitude of the
people towards change. Some people are very reluctant to accept change or innovation in
the organization or the society. It is also very difficult to change their mindset towards the
change. They think that change is not necessary or increase the burden of work without
any reason. They are very close to their tradition and believe in traditional activities
rather than innovation.
ii) Lack of motivation for accepting the change: the attitude of people can be changed
towards the change. If the organization will use some motivational technique to motivate
the people to accept the change the people will be ready to accept the change.
iii) Lack of collaboration: lack of collaboration is also one of the challenges of innovation.
The people who are ready to accept the change and the people who are not ready to
accept the change often involve in a conflict due to the differences of opinion. And due to
this lack of collaboration occur in the team or organization.

6
Innovation in Construction
iv) Current product, idea, the behavior is successful: if the current product, idea, or behavior
is successful, the organization would like to cultivate the benefit of the successful product
instead of going for new product or idea.
v) Determining the risk of innovation incorrectly: innovation, as we know, is very risky and
involve high risk. Due to an innovative product or idea the organization may be
successful or a failure. But the chance of failure is high than the success. If the
organization determines the risk of innovation incorrectly, the risks may increase
tremendously, and due to this, the organization may drop the plan of innovation.
vi) Lack of diversity: if the business of an organization is not a diver and engage in one or
two business only it would not go for innovation due to the high risk of innovation
because if the innovation would fail the organization may be out of business.
Context of using the idea
The idea of photovoltaic glass will be used in the construction project. The photovoltaic glass is
used to convert solar energy into electric energy. In the building, the photovoltaic glass could be
used in windows, roof, and many another part of the building to convert the solar energy into
electric energy and supply that energy into the building (O’Cass et al., 2013). It will help in the
wasting of electric energy and also save the cost of electricity.
Process of the innovation
The innovation or new idea involves various stages to come in the picture (Salemo et al., 2015).
These stages are;

7
Innovation in Construction
 Generation of the idea: the organization that wants to implement change or introduces new
idea, product, or service seeks idea from the employees as well as the public. The
organization asks the employees for the idea.
 Screening of idea: after generation of the idea the organization screen the idea to select best
one.
 Experimentation: the organization after selecting the best one experiments the idea to know
the acceptability as well as the effectiveness of the idea.
 Commercialization: after experimentation of the idea the organization commercialize the
idea.
 Diffusion and implementation: after commercializing the idea the organization diffuses and
implements the idea throughout the organization.
Strategies
Innovation is the necessity of business and a source for a competitive edge. Innovation increases
the competitiveness of the organization, but there are various challenges associated with the
innovation (Booth, 2015). Therefore, the organization needs to develop some strategies to solve
the challenges of the innovation. The following are some strategies;
 Change the attitude of the people: the attitude of the people is one of the biggest hurdles in
the way of accepting change. The employees do not want to accept the change because due to
the complexity of the change. Innovation requires new skills and competencies to handle the
innovation. Therefore, the organization needs to change the attitude of the people by
supporting them in accepting the change.

8
Innovation in Construction
 Motivating the employees to accept the change: the organization can motivate its employees
by applying the technique of motivation such as providing them financial and non-financial
assistance. A motivated employee is always ready to accept the challenges of innovation.
 Training and developmental program: the company should also provide training and
developmental program to the employees to make them capable of handling innovation.
Training will provide the necessary skills and competencies that are required for the
innovation.
 Simplifying the process of innovation: the process of innovation is very complex, and due to
the complexity of the innovation many people are reluctant to accept the change. Therefore,
to solve the problem of complexity the organization needs to simplify the process of
innovation so that employees can easily accept the change.
 Define the change exactly to the employees: if the innovation or change will be defined
exactly and clearly to the employees the complexity of the innovation will reduce
significantly and it will be easy for the employees to accept the change.
 Ask employees for feedback even before starting the change: this will help in knowing the
attitude of every employee and management can convince them accordingly to accept the
change.
Key players in change:
Change or innovation involves very complex decision-making process. The decision is taken by
the top level management. Due to the high level of risk involved with the innovation the key
members of the organization involved in the decision-making process (Edgett, 2014). The key
players in change are the following;

9
Innovation in Construction
 Members of the board: members of the board are the key people in an organization and
involve in very complex and risky decision. They are responsible for formulating the long-
term plan and strategy of the organization. Innovation is also a very complex process and
highly risky for the organization.
 Manager of the concerned department: the manager of the concerned department is also
responsible for the formulation of planning and policies of the department. The manager of
the concerned department also participates in the decision-making process regarding
innovation.
 Expert related to the innovative idea: the organization also involves the expert in the
decision-making process related to the innovative idea. The experts are those who provide
insight into the new idea. They outline the benefits as well as the risk associated with the new
idea.
 Specialist of change management: change is a very complex process and needs proper
management. If the change is not managed properly, it would be harmful to the organization
and instead of benefiting the organization it would reduce the performance and productivity
of the employees as well as the organization.
Effect of change in the organization
The change affects the organization positively as well as negatively. If the change has been
managed in the organization properly the effect of the change would be positive or vice-versa
(vakola, 2014). The positive effect of change on the organization;
 Adoption of change in the organization helps the organization to be current or up to date. It is
very important to be up to date in the competitive world. It helps in understanding the trends

10
Innovation in Construction
of the market as well as a change in the taste and preference of the consumers. The company
can serve the consumers according to their taste and preference.
 The change leads the organization to explore new opportunities. As a result of the change,
various new opportunities come to the door of organization and the organization can
experience these new opportunities.
 Change also lead to further innovation in the organization. If the accepted change is
successful in the organization and has yielded significant result the management, as well as
the employees, would be ready to accept the change further.
 The efficiency of the employee increases due to the effective adoption of change. Change is
necessary to the success of the organization, and it leads to the increase in efficiency of the
organization.
 Successful adoption of the change improves the attitude of the employees. The attitude of the
employees is one of the biggest hurdles in the way of accepting change within the
organization but it the accepted change is successful the attitude of the employees would be
changed towards the change that would be beneficial for the overall organization.
The negative effect of the change:
 If the accepted change within the organization is not successful, it will lead the employees to
heavy stress which will reduce the performance as well as the productivity of the employees
and organization.
 Increase in time away from work: due to the change within the organization the employees
who do not want change start spending time away from work.
 Increase turnover rate: due to the acceptance of change within the organization, the
employees start leaving the company.

11
Innovation in Construction
 The high cost of training and development program is incurred by the organization due to the
acceptance of change.