Expanding Understanding on Attributes of Innovation Champions: Firms and Individual Perspectives of Professional Quantity Surveying Firms

Abstract

Quantity Surveying Profession (QSP) globally has undergone significant revolution and has embraced career pathways in providing excellent services within and outside the construction industry. The QSP adapting to the changes in the construction industry, and innovating to remain competitive has allowed them to adopt some specific attributes which makes them process innovation champions. Identifying these characteristics of the QSP for appreciation and implementation gave the purpose for this studies. Drawing from quantitative research approach, and using purposive and convenience sampling technique, data was collected and analysed. The study adopted descriptive statistics, Relative Importance Index (RII) and cross tabulations as its tools of analysis. After analysis, the outstanding attribute of innovative Quantity Surveying (QS) firms’ worthy of emulation were good managerial skills and capability, followed by team learning and competency. On individual perspective, all the identified variables were outstanding characteristics with interaction with others in the workplace ranking first, followed by open to experience while acting out of curiosity ranked last. Findings of this study could assist in understanding the set of characteristics which makes firms innovative. The identified attributes would also help other project teams in the construction industry to increase their innovativeness and output when they are examined, understood and implemented.