University-industry collaboration and innovation in a project-based engineering context

• The construction industry plays a key role in society but innovation in this project-based context is perceived as slow and poorly understood. Interorganizational collaboration is important in both business projects and R&D. Based on a study of a large collaborative R&D programme to develop knowledge and new engineering methods for Swedish underground construction, we discuss and analyse the innovation system in this area with a focus on implementation of research-based knowledge. To sketch the institutional context, we summarize key findings in research on innovation in construction. Innovation in this sector is project-based and dependent on individual champions, and the large underground research program exposed system weaknesses originating in a lack of organizational absorptive capacity especially within the dominant client organization. An important finding is that absorptive capacities within organizations shape system level innovation capabilities and potential roles of industry network. It is therefore essential to understand the actor level in suggesting measures to increase implementation. The paper develops knowledge to support collaborative strategy formulation in this complex area.

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