Swedish architects’ perceptions of hindrances to the adoption of wood frames and other innovations in multi-storey building construction

• A better understanding of general hindrances to the diffusion of innovations (new products,services, processes, systems, or concepts) in the construction sector may help improve thesustainability of buildings. Adoption of innovations such as multi-storey wood frames may e.g.reduce the primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions of building construction. This studyuses a web-based questionnaire to collect information on Swedish architects‟ perceptions ofhindrances to the adoption of innovations in building construction in general, and to the adoption ofmulti-storey wood frames in particular. Results show that the most influential hindrances to thegeneral adoption of innovations were perceived as the focus on project costs instead of life-cyclecosts, the economic risk adopting an innovation imply, the focus on traditional engineering models,the construction industry´s tendency to use proven materials and methods, and contractors‟inability to adjust processes. Concrete and steel were perceived as more advantageous than woodwith regards to several aspects influencing the innovativeness of the Swedish construction industry,but wood was perceived as better with regards to opportunities to support local industry. Thearchitects also had more positive perceptions of the performance of concrete and steel in multistoreybuildings, than of wood. While gender and size of company seem to have little influence,perceptions of innovativeness and frame materials vary with age and regions.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Samhällsbyggnadsteknik -- Byggproduktion (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Civil Engineering -- Construction Management (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Innovation

construction industry

multi-storey buildings

architects

wood frames

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)