Construction Small And Medium-sized Enterprises Research Articles

Perceived barriers to implementing building information modeling in Iranian Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): a Delphi survey of construction experts

ABSTRACT Building information modeling (BIM) is a disruptive information technology tool in the construction sector. Although this technology had a significant impact on the manufacturing industries, it, like any other technology, encountered several challenges when applied to the construction sector. Conversely, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing economies often face significant impediments when using innovative technologies. Thus, this paper seeks to determine and investigate the perceived barriers to applying BIM in construction SMEs based in Iran. Three rounds of Delphi surveys were carried out with 15 BIM experts engaged in construction SMEs to identify the key barriers to BIM implementation in SMEs. An empirical survey questionnaire comprising these identified barriers was subsequently designed and disseminated to the invited experts. Altogether, 56 valid survey responses were received and analyzed. The study’s findings revealed SMEs management’s hesitancy to adopt BIM, stakeholders’ reluctance to change their established methods, and a lack of technical understanding as the critical impediments to BIM adoption in construction SMEs. Also, the study identified four barrier dimensions – technology, legal, management, and financial. These BIM implementation barrier dimensions can be employed to better allocate resources and financing for BIM deployment and construction innovation in SMEs. The study will assist major project stakeholders and SMEs make better-informed BIM adoption decisions, particularly in developing nations like Iran.

What drives construction SMEs on CSR implementation during economic uncertainty?

World uncertainty is currently at an exceptionally high level, leading to difficulties in business operations. This phenomenon raises questions about the necessity of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives for vulnerable organizations such as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as they may deprioritize CSR to focus on surviving. The review of previous studies highlighted a limited theoretical understanding of CSR that existed during such challenging economic periods. This study aims to bridge this research gap by investigating the driving forces that motivate construction SMEs to implement CSR during economic uncertainty. Through a combination of literature review, semi-structured interviews, and hybrid fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory-Analytic Network Process methods, 13 drivers for CSR were identified and categorized into four clusters: human resources benefit, market pressure, organizational reputation, and financial benefit. Human resources benefit was recognized as the most influential cluster, and employee commitment and loyalty was the most critical CSR driver. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by theoretically explaining the prioritization of drivers to CSR performance regarding their interrelationships.

Semi-Structured Interview of Industry 4.0 for SMEs in the Malaysian Construction Industry

Industry 4.0 (IR 4.0) is becoming a trend in various sectors despite being originated from the manufacturing industry. This concept has even grasped the attention of the construction sector due to its various benefits such as increased in product quality, productivity, and cost savings. In order to adopt this concept for the construction industry, focuses should be placed upon the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) since they play a major part in influencing the economy. This paper aims to examine the challenges, enablers of IR 4.0, investigate the readiness and identify the ways to improve the implementation of IR 4.0 for the SMEs in the Malaysian construction industry. This study employed a semi-structured interview amongst twenty (20) industrial construction players around the Klang Valley. The collected data was then analysed and the results showed that they agreed that the main challenges in adopting IR 4.0 concept for the construction SMEs were lack of financial resources, ineffective process change strategy and low experiences in utilizing skilled applications and technologies. The interviewees believed that the important enablers for IR 4.0 in the construction industry were Building Information Modelling (BIM), cloud technology, and Industrialised Building System (IBS). BIM is also becoming a growing trend in the construction industry. The interviewees mentioned that the current readiness of the IR 4.0 concept for the construction SMEs is still below par yet there is still potential to be improved especially in terms of the organisations management, awareness, and implementation level. Government and its agencies need to play the biggest roles as the driving force in ensuring advanced technologies are successfully implemented in the construction industry. The results from this research will be used to produce a robust framework to hasten the adoption of IR 4.0 for the construction industry SMEs.

Barriers and strategies for implementing lean six sigma in small- and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in construction industry: a fuzzy TOPSIS analysis

Purpose Quality management barriers have been discovered in construction small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), determining their long-term survival. Despite the recognition of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) as a valuable quality management technique for addressing the barriers faced by SMEs, LSS implementation within the construction SME context is alarmingly low. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the barriers for implementing LSS within construction SMEs and to determine the most effective strategies for overcoming these barriers. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research approach was used, and data was collected in two stages: a questionnaire survey with 44 construction professionals and an expert opinion survey with 12 LSS specialists. The collected data was then analysed using the fuzzy TOPSIS method, achieving a higher degree of sensitivity. Findings The findings revealed the 15 most significant LSS barriers that need to be addressed. In addition, the ten most important strategies to be implemented in overcoming the identified barriers before LSS implementation were discovered and thematised, most notably the hiring of LSS specialists for project monitoring and the formation of a committee for strategic planning through LSS. Originality/value Previous research on LSS examined barriers and strategies for SMEs in general, but to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first of its kind, focusing especially on the construction SME context and involving the unique fuzzy TOPSIS approach.

An evaluation of determinants influencing the adoption of circular economy principles in Nigerian construction SMEs

ABSTRACT Recent global-wide events including the COVID-19 pandemic have triggered further concerns for construction organizations and policy makers to rethink their resource utilization particularly as most nations gradually return to normalcy. Thus, the primary aim of this study was to appraise the current barriers and drivers of circular economy (CE) concept implementation among construction small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries. Focus groups were used to answer the overarching question on the determinants influencing CE implementation within construction SMEs. The focus groups revealed a wealth of CE practice detailed information and insights into emerging CE research themes. The study found that the CE concept makes strong arguments for achieving value in economies by reusing, repairing and recycling of constrained resources during operational activities especially within the built environment. Moreover, the findings of this study provide a basis for the research community and practitioners to recognize how various determinants can be coalesced to influence CE adoption and to potentially yield sustainably organizationally valued outputs.

INDUSTRY 4.0 FOR THE SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES IN THE MALAYSIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Industry 4.0 (IR 4.0) is becoming a trend in a plethora of sectors despite being used for the manufacturing industry. The concept has even attracted the attention of the construction sector yet despite that, the construction industry still favours conservative technology and is reluctant in incorporating new concepts into their practices. In order to adopt this concept for the construction industry, the main focuses should be placed upon the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) since they act as a critical part in influencing the economy. Thus, the objectives of this paper are to determine the challenges faced by SMEs in adopting IR 4.0 in the Malaysian construction industry, propose the enablers of IR 4.0 for the Malaysian construction industry, investigate the readiness of SMEs in the Malaysian construction industry and identify the methods to successfully implement IR 4.0 for the construction SMEs. This study employed a survey questionnaire distributed amongst 380 local contractors and consultants around the Klang Valley and the collected data shall be analysed for descriptive statistics. The survey questionnaire had a 40.3% response rate and the results indicates that the main challenges in utilizing the IR 4.0 concept for the SMEs were the lack of financial resources, absence of a process change strategy and low experiences in utilizing skilled applications and technologies. The common enablers of IR 4.0 in the construction industry agreed by the respondents in the questionnaire were Building Information Modelling (BIM), modularization or prefabrication and augmented, virtual or mixed reality (AR/VR/MR). The readiness of the SMEs in implementing IR 4.0 were high in the aspects of modelling and simulation, prefabrication and having good access to internet. They agreed that having a regulatory framework and roadmaps for IR 4.0 adoption, doing necessary trainings to upskill and reskill, and strengthen the workforces’ knowledge in regards to IR 4.0 were one of the ways to improve the success for implementing IR 4.0. The results from this research will help to produce a robust framework later to hasten the adoption of IR 4.0 for the SMEs in the construction sector.

Institutional isomorphism and adoption of building information modelling (BIM) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of the Nigerian Construction Industry

PurposeAlthough there has been a surge in the adoption of building information modelling (BIM) in the construction industry, the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are still struggling and perceive its adoption as risky. The SMEs in developing economies are especially on the disadvantaged side of the digital divide. Extant studies have focused on large firms and there are scanty studies on the influence of the external environments on BIM adoption in SMEs. Thus, this study espouses institutional theory (INT) to examine the influence of coercive, mimetic, and normative pressures on BIM awareness and adoption in SMEs.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative approach was employed, and data were collected from the Nigerian construction SMEs via an empirical questionnaire survey using a sequential stratified and convenient sampling method. Hypothesized relationships between the coercive, mimetic, and normative pressure and BIM in SMEs were empirically tested using the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique and the model was validated with the “PLSpredict” procedure.FindingsThe results revealed that coercive and mimetic pressures significantly influence BIM adoption in SMEs while normative pressures have the strongest influence on BIM in SMEs. Also, BIM awareness is an important predictor of BIM adoption. The findings also shed light on the influence of firmographics on BIM awareness and adoption in Nigerian SMEs.Originality/valueThe study empirically validates the applicability of INT and highlights that BIM adoption is not only influenced by internal responses to the need for efficiency but also by external pressures. It implies a clear need for intentional isomorphic pressures in driving BIM adoption in SMEs. The study employs the INT to explain a phenomenon that has not been theoretically explored in the context of SMEs in developing economies. Lastly, the study provided valuable insights into driving BIM adoption, together with the effective practical implications for implementation and potential research areas for further studies.

Linking Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Performance in Construction Firms

To achieve business success in a competitive market, construction firms are searching for different ways to enhance their innovation capabilities. This study aimed to examine the role of entrepreneurial leadership in promoting product and process innovation among small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the construction sector through the mediating effect of innovation strategies and the moderating effect of knowledge acquisition. Data was collected from 402 employees working in 254 Vietnamese construction SMEs. The findings revealed that entrepreneurial leadership is positively associated with both product and process innovation. In addition, these relationships are mediated by innovation strategy. While innovation strategy and product innovation is moderated by knowledge acquisition, evidence was not obtained for the moderation effect of knowledge acquisition on the link between innovation strategy and process innovation. The findings contribute to dynamic capability theory by identifying the roles of entrepreneurial leaders in managing an organization as a dynamic system and developing appropriate innovation strategies to adapt to rapidly changing environments. This study offers important implications for construction firms that are investing in innovation activities and are seeking ways to promote their innovation of products and processes.

A fuzzy-based competitiveness assessment tool for construction SMEs

PurposeIn highly competitive industries such as the construction sector, companies with limited capabilities struggle to maintain their current standing, let alone acquire more market share. Before they are able to address their shortcomings, these companies need to pinpoint where their performance stands when it comes to market demand. Furthermore, competitiveness is strongly linked with companies' ability to win tenders and deliver the associated construction projects. Tenders are, therefore, a mechanism that reflects the strengths and weaknesses of construction firms and can be deemed an indicator of competitiveness. This paper aims to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) increase their presence in the construction sector by suggesting a systematic approach to evaluate their competitiveness.Design/methodology/approachParticipation requirements were extracted from 11 calls for tenders and organized into categories using a qualitative content analysis. These requirements along with winning assets deduced from the literature constitute the basis of the tool. The qualitative evaluation of the difficulty in satisfying requirements or acquiring assets was transformed into unified, quantifiable scores by means of fuzzy numbers.FindingsA total of 233 requirements were found and classified in 3 main categories. In addition, a list of 54 assets organized into five categories was compiled. The entire methodology led to a five-step assessment tool whose output can be depicted on the proposed competitiveness readiness matrix (CRM).Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to the limited number of articles discussing the contractor's side in the tendering process. Furthermore, it combines three theoretical perspectives (i.e. resource-based view, relational view, and industry structure perspective), which are scarcely applied in the construction management field. Consideration of the calls for tenders when developing solutions is also a unique aspect of this research when compared to previous studies.Practical implicationsThis tool may help practitioners navigate the rather elusive tendering process by outlining the necessary elements to participate in and win tenders. It may also allow construction firms to better position themselves in the market with respect to customers' requirements and competitors' performances.Originality/valueThis study provides an approach of both self-assessment and market benchmarking. It assists companies in formulating strategies to become more competitive in general and make better bidding decisions. This is especially interesting because of three aspects: the study is based on a fundamental element of the construction competitiveness concept, i.e. calls for tenders; it offers a mechanism to transform systematically qualitative attributes into quantifiable scores; and it provides a practical and reliable display of the assessment results.

Critical success factors for managing construction small and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries of Middle East: Evidence from Iranian construction enterprises

The study aims to study the critical success factors (CSFs) for managing construction small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the developing countries of the Middle East. The statistical population included active experts in the field of construction in the study area. The sample size was determined using the Cochrane formula, and purposive and convenience sampling was used to select 118 participants as the primary sample. The questionnaire used in this study was based on 63 CSFs items derived from the extant literature, which were categorised into eight CSFs categories. The findings indicated that the mean rank score of the CSFs for managing construction SMEs for the CSFs categories and each CSFs item ranged between medium and high, and all CSFs items and areas can be considered significant CSFs for managing construction SMEs in developing countries of the Middle East. Furthermore, in the ranking of the CSFs categories, technology with an average (MS) of 6.38 was rated the most significant CSFs category, followed by human resource management aspect (MS = 5.48), dynamic capabilities (MS = 5.30), and organisational management (MS = 4.76). It is expected that the study findings and recommendations would significantly contribute to improving project success and efficiency of construction SMEs in developing countries while deepening stakeholders’ awareness of critical variables for prioritisation in order to remain competitive in the construction industry. • Construction SMEs in developing countries struggle to be competitive and profitable. • A mixed research design helped in identifying the key factors that can reverse the trend. • Use of technology, technical capability, and stakeholders upskills are considered very critical. • Practical blueprints, recommendations, and implications of the study are discussed.

A meta-analysis of factors affecting labour productivity of construction SMEs in developing countries

PurposeThe global construction industry is significant to economic development, whereas the sector, particularly its small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have continued to suffer from low labour productivity for decades. This has given rise to the concern of relevant construction stakeholders on the need to address the challenges undermining labour productivity growth in construction. Hence, this study aims to conduct a meta-data analysis of factors that hamper productivity growth of construction SMEs in developing countries.Design/methodology/approachA systematic review of existing studies relative to factors affecting construction labour productivity (CLP) is presented. Thereafter, eight developing countries-based studies that are specific to SMEs were selected for meta-data analysis using relative importance index values from the studies.FindingsThe essential productivity influencing factors were identified and quantitative data of the selected studies were synthesised. The effect summaries derived from the meta-data analysis revealed that the most significant factors that negatively affect CLP amongst SMEs include: workers’ skills, inadequate training, rework, management style and incentive to labour.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to scientifically analysed secondary data relative to SME contractors in developing countries.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study can be adopted by construction stakeholders to evolve productivity growth policies for construction SMEs in developing countries.Originality/valueSynthesis of quantitative data of different studies has lent deeper insight into a more realistic and scientific precision of factors affecting labour productivity of construction SMEs.

Social media adoption and business performance: the mediating role of organizational learning capability (OLC)

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the mediating effect of learning capacity in the relationship between the social media usage by the construction of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their business performance in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative survey technique was used to collect data from the owner/manager of construction SMEs in Nigeria. The partial least square structural equation modeling was used in the assessment of the measurement model and structural model to assess the validity and reliability of the measures and to evaluate the hypotheses proposed in the conceptual model. Findings Empirical findings indicated a significant positive relationship between learning capacity and performance of SMEs. Similarly, the use of social media is significantly and positively associated to the business performance of SMEs. It has also been shown that learning capacity is a mediator of the relationship between social media and SME performance. Research limitations/implications The data for the study is are all from a single industry and a related line of business, so it could be more interesting to include more companies across sectors or industries. The finding contributes to the ongoing debate on the effect of social media on business performance. It also defined the need for the owner/manager of SMEs to understand and appreciate the effect of social media through the organization's learning potential to gain a sustainable competitive advantage. Practical implications There are a number of theoretical and practical implications for academics and practitioners who are interested in further studies of organizational social media. The research presents a quantitative study on the effect of social media adoption on the organizational performance of the construction industry. This study confirms the mediating role of learning capability in the relationship between the use of social media and performance of SMEs operating in the construction industry. Originality/value This study empirically examined the relationship between social media adoption and the SMEs learning capability and business performance by evaluating a hypothesized conceptual framework to establish the relationships.

Entrepreneurial Leadership and Product Innovation in Construction SMEs

Product innovation is an important driver of the success and sustainable development of firms. Drawing on the resource-based view and the resource dependence theory, our research examines how entrepreneurial leadership influences product innovation in construction small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We develop a research model in which knowledge acquisition and market-sensing capability mediate the effect of entrepreneurial leadership on product innovation, and competitive intensity moderates the relationships between the two mediators and product innovation. The data for our research model were collected from 402 employees working in 254 construction SMEs in Vietnam. Our findings reveal a positive link between entrepreneurial leadership and product innovation, which is mediated by knowledge acquisition and market-sensing capability. Additionally, competitive intensity is found to moderate the associations between knowledge acquisition and market-sensing capability and product innovation. Other than the theoretical contributions, our study provides important practical implications on how SMEs can foster product innovation by utilizing both internal and external resources.

Impacts of procurement strategies on construction SMEs’ growth

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the impacts of procurement strategies on the growing proportion of construction small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and whether the size of the construction company moderates the effect.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a quantitative research approach and a cross-sectional questionnaire survey in achieving its objectives. The survey requires the respondent to identify both the most successful and most outstanding project that the respondent was involved in between 2010 and 2016.FindingsThe study found that only traditional and management-oriented procurement strategies ensure the achievement of all growth plans for construction SMEs in South Africa; and that medium-sized construction enterprises achieve social growth such as community empowerment, managerial skills and advancement on the cidb Register of Contractors.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study imply that policymakers should base their decisions regarding macroeconomic issues and growth plans for construction SMEs on the internal and external factors such as differences in the sizes of construction SMEs and differences in the suitability of procurement strategies affecting the growth of construction SMEs.Originality/valueIn past studies, the diversity amongst SMEs is often overlooked and SMEs are erroneously assumed to share similar objectives, possess equal capabilities and face challenges of the same magnitude. The original contribution of this study is shown in the investigation of the moderating effect of SMEs’ diversity (in terms of company size) on their growth proportion as influenced by procurement strategies.

4D-BIM-Based Workspace Planning for Temporary Safety Facilities in Construction SMEs.

Temporary safety facilities (TSFs) are an essential support system providing necessary protection to workers during construction activities, which are targeted towards preventing the occurrence of incidents and accidents at the construction site; however, the schedule and location of installation and demolition of TSFs continue to rely on labor experience, and are often omitted from formal drawings or documents. This results in thousands of accidents in the construction industry, especially in construction small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) because of their several limiting factors; therefore, this study proposes automatic workspace planning for TSFs based on construction activities, which is a systematized approach for construction SMEs to practice occupational health and safety (OHS). By using building information modeling (BIM) and add-in algorithm, safety facilities can be simulated and visualized to integrate into the designated workspace. The developed system was implemented utilizing 4D-BIM for TSFs installation and validated with a case study on a residential building project. The result revealed that the visualized TSF produces a better understanding of safety measures with regard to project schedule. Additionally, TSFs workspace planning provides an affordable approach that motivates safety practices among the SMEs; consequently, the effectiveness of construction safety measures and their management is enhanced appreciably.

Dimensions of Intercompany Cooperation in the Construction Industry and their Relations to Performance of SMEs

Cooperation between companies is widely believed to have positive impact on their performance. However, there is insufficient empirical research on relationships between these constructs in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the construction industry. Moreover, cooperation is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon, and it is interesting how different dimensions of cooperation may influence the company’s performance. To bridge the research gap, the following study is performed, which: (1) identifies dimensions of intercompany cooperation, and (2) examines the relationships between dimensions of cooperation and the performance of SMEs. Eight dimensions of cooperation were identified, based on 125 observations obtained from Polish construction SMEs. It appears that a company’s openness to cooperation is dependent on the company’s maturity and the competition between partners. Surprisingly, no significant connection was observed between the cooperation, financial performance and the change in the number of employees. It is considered that the cooperation in the construction industry, although not related to financial performance in a significant or direct way, is common and may be essential for the survival of SMEs.

ICT Implementation of Small- and Medium-Sized Construction Enterprises: Organizational Characteristics, Driving Forces, and Value Perceptions

This study discusses the organizational characteristics, driving factors, and value perceptions of small- and medium-sized construction enterprises in information and communication technology (ICT) implementation and investigates how the heterogeneous impacts of these features on subsequent ICT implementation practices are manifested. Based on questionnaire responses provided by 338 respondents from the Chinese construction industry, these associations were empirically tested using statistical methods, such as t-test, ANOVA, and correlation test. The analysis results indicate that the engagement of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in ICT is a function of their annual sales turnover and the location in which they are operating, but no correlation was found with age, ownership structure, or business type. Moreover, strategic orientation was found to be the most effective driver in determining SMEs’ ICT-level, followed by pressures from competitors, incentive and mandatory policies from the government, intentions to improve work efficiency and quality, and ICT requirements from clients and partners, in that order. The findings further reveal that the differences in value perceptions generated after the adoption of ICT is the reason why SMEs tend to adopt less expensive ICT, that is, to use packaged rather than customized ICT, which can improve efficiency quickly, without considering the long-term benefits of the selected ICT. These findings provide insights for researchers and policymakers, allowing them to develop an in-depth understanding of the stimuli that are advantageous in ICT implementation in construction SMEs in developing countries.

Effect of Inter-organizational Learning on Construction SMEs Performance

Construction small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face different challenges pertaining to their competitiveness and capabilities. Inter-organizational learning (IOL) is a key activity that contributes to organizational development and long-term survival. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether IOL has an influence on SMEs performance. A questionnaire survey was used to collect data from 81 construction SMEs in Malaysia. Partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the data. The results showed a strong and positive relationship between IOL and SME performance. Based on the findings, a new model has been proposed to explain how performance can be enhanced through three activities of IOL, namely internalization, externalization, and intra-organization learning. Enhancing the performance of SMEs is essential for the performance of the whole construction industry and this paper has contributed toward this main goal.

Survival of construction SMEs in macroeconomic crises

PurposeThis paper aims to present the effect of innovation on implementing competitive strategies (CSs) and to find their relationships on the survival of construction-related small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in macroeconomic crises.Design/methodology/approachData were compiled from construction SMEs in Turkey. The research used structural equation modeling to investigate the relationships between innovation, CSs and firm survival (FS).FindingsInnovative construction SMEs may implement differentiation and focus strategies and survive without CSs, whereas innovation may be obtained through cost leadership strategy. Also, differentiation and focus strategies may play a role to survive. However, the cost leadership strategy may be implemented after survival. Finally, differentiation strategy may be triggered by innovation and focus strategies.Research limitations/implicationsThe model may be applied on other construction organizations. Future studies may also examine the difference in findings concerning other industries and regions. Moreover, different factors may be added to the model. However, a larger group of samples could cause different results.Practical implicationsThis study may be a roadmap for practitioners to plan their firms’ strategies, considering innovation, CSs and FS. In this context, they may pay attention to innovative production processes to survive.Social implicationsSurvived SMEs may sustain their works through the prevention of crisis-based unemployment. Hence, this benefit may bring a wealthier society.Originality/valueThis research is first to propose a model connecting innovation and CSs for SMEs’ survival in macroeconomic crises. This is convenient for rivalry of SMEs planning to be long-lasting enterprises.

Exploring organisational attributes affecting the innovativeness of UK SMEs

PurposeThe UK construction sector of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has received criticism for a perceived lack of desire to innovate. Previous research has identified attributes such as company size and levels of research and development expenditure as being significant and causal variables determining this response. The purpose of this study was to further explore organisational attributes that determine innovation likeliness within construction SMEs.Design/methodology/approachWeb-based questionnaires were administered to 101 construction professionals. Responses from large companies and SMEs were compared, and data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods.FindingsThe findings indicate that SMEs do implement a substantial amount of innovation to improve profitability. Both organisational maturity and in-house design capability were found to impact SME innovativeness.Originality/valueThe study provides further evidence that the UK construction SME sector is evolving away from traditional to more innovative practices.