Effect of Main Innovation Areas on Organizational Performance in Construction Companies

Abstract

Innovation concept includes technology, change, and invention. The concept can be defined as making any alteration, variation or innovation to services and products in order to create economic and social value for the society (Elci, 2006), and innovation can occur in different areas of construction companies. Product, process, client, manner of procurement, and brand awareness are areas of innovation that have different importance levels for each company type. However, scientific research on the effect of innovation areas on organizational performance is rare in the literature. In this context, the objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between innovation areas and performance in small and medium-sized construction companies using the Delphi method of analysis. First, innovation concept was explained in detail, and particularly the development of the concept in the construction industry. Then, subcomponents of the concept were discussed with regard to construction business. Delphi results indicated that in small and medium-sized construction companies, the working network innovation area is the most effective with regard to organizational performance, and the product proposal innovation area has the lowest level of impact on performance. These results can contribute to the managerial decision-making process of construction companies and can be used as a resource for developing an innovation management plan.