Innovation In Megaprojects Research Articles

Green innovation in megaprojects: A capacity-based analysis of the Shenzhong Link Project in China

Growing environmental challenges and expanding megaprojects have necessitated green transformation of the construction industry. This paper takes the Shenzhong Link Project as an example to explore the capacities required for achieving the goal of green innovation, as well as its micro-expression and behavioral path. We begin with the idea that megaprojects are complex, and then we dissect the capacities from both soft and hard system levels, categorizing them into basic and composite capacities. Then, we form the integration of capacities to realize green innovation of megaprojects. Green development is an essential prerequisite for high-quality megaproject development. Our approach provides a guided study on how to enhance the role of micro-internal drivers in the management of attaining green innovation in megaprojects to help project managers achieve green performance and promote quality development.

Improving collaborative innovation performance in megaprojects: a system dynamic approach

PurposeThe development and evolution of stakeholder collaborative innovation in megaprojects is impacted by various influencing factors. The effect of influencing factors on collaborative innovation performance (CIP) in megaprojects is not a simplistic linear relationship but an iterative and non-linear relationship that requires a dynamic perspective to analyze. Therefore, this paper adopts the system dynamic (SD) approach to investigate the dynamic and interactive relationships between the CIP and the influencing factors.Design/methodology/approachThe study first develops a research framework with the system boundary of “CIP system – organizational collaboration subsystem – knowledge collaboration subsystem – strategic collaboration subsystem”. Then, the causal relationship model, the stock-flow model, and the mathematical equations were determined based on the literature review and the expert interviews. Finally, five performance improvement scenarios were designed according to the practice context of CIP in megaprojects, and simulations were performed using the Vensim PLE software to investigate the CIP from a dynamic perspective.FindingsThe findings reveal that the effect of different influencing factors on CIP grows non-linearly, with the cumulative effect becoming more pronounced as time advances. The incentive mechanism has the most significant effect, and the combined effect of multiple influencing factors has a highly significant facilitating effect on improving CIP. Strategic collaboration, organizational collaboration and knowledge collaboration are mutually conditional and reinforcing with each other, which ultimately promotes the improvement of CIP.Originality/valueThis study uncovers the inherent pattern and the interactive dynamic mechanism of factors for improving CIP in the context of megaprojects. It enriches the theoretical research in the area of collaborative innovation in megaprojects and provides practical management strategies for improving CIP.

Configurational Path to Collaborative Innovation in Large and Complex Construction Projects

Collaborative innovation contributes to sustainable development in many industries. Although there is a growing literature on collaborative innovation, it is still unclear whether and how configurations of drivers affect collaborative innovation in large and complex construction projects (hereafter megaprojects). This research adopts fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to explore multiple conjunctural causations of collaborative innovation in megaprojects. The findings show that four equifinal solutions can influence collaborative innovation in megaprojects, i.e.: “system innovation-oriented” (configuration 1), “radical innovation-oriented” (configuration 2), “second-tier supplier oriented” (configuration 3), and “modular or architectural innovation-oriented” (configuration 4). This study contributes to explaining the mechanisms regarding how configurations of drivers contribute to collaborative innovation in megaprojects. It also contributes to the development of collaborative innovation research in a construction project context. The research findings provide construction project managers with four useful suggestions for promoting collaborative innovation in megaprojects.

Collaborative strategies of multiple stakeholders in green innovation of megaprojects based on a three-group evolutionary game

Implementing green innovation in megaprojects is an effective way to reduce energy consumption, environmental pollution and eliminate environmental externalities. In order to consider the interactive effects of multiple stakeholders, we constructed a tripartite evolutionary game model including the government, the public, and construction enterprises. And investigated the effects of the initial strategy and various parameter adjustments on the players' choices through simulation. In comparison to previous research, we discover that government penalties and subsidies and the degree of public participation all affect the motivation of construction enterprises to execute green innovation. Government behavior and public participation are also interacting, government incentives can encourage public participation on the one hand, while public participation can inhibit negative government regulatory behavior, and environmental contamination by construction enterprises, effectively promoting green innovation in megaprojects on the other. Finally, we attempt to provide solutions for incentivizing green innovation in megaprojects from a synergistic perspective.

How does top management team regulatory focus influence management innovation and performance in megaprojects: the moderating role of project uncertainties

PurposeExisting research on innovation has mainly focused on how to promote technological innovation in megaprojects and management innovation (MI) in megaprojects is still an unknown research field. The purposes of this study are to examine the effect of MI on megaproject performance and how the top management team (TMT) regulatory focus affects the use of MI in projects. At the same time, the moderating effects of project uncertainties are also tested.Design/methodology/approachOn the basis of an explorative/exploitative ambidextrous analysis framework, this study divides MI into two dimensions: explorative and exploitative MI, and integrates the theoretical perspectives of the TMT regulatory focus and project uncertainties into a research model. Taking 314 responses from megaprojects’ TMTs in China as research data, this study empirically tests the above model.FindingsResults show that exploratory MI has a U-shaped relationship with megaproject performance; whereas exploitative MI has an inverted U-shaped relationship with megaproject performance. The TMT promotion focus has a positive effect on exploratory and exploitative MI; and the TMT prevention focus has a negative effect on exploratory MI but has a positive effect on exploitative MI. Project uncertainties have a positive moderating effect on the positive relationship between TMT promotion focus and exploratory MI, whereas it has a negative moderating effect on the negative relationship between the TMT prevention focus and exploratory MI.Originality/valueBy empirically measuring the relationship between two types of MIs and megaproject performance, this study clarifies the differential mechanism of the effect of different MIs on megaproject performance. This study also examines the MI of megaprojects from the perspective of the TMT regulatory focus and expounds how changes in uncertainties affect the relationship between the TMT regulatory focus and MI.

Green transformational leadership and green innovation in megaprojects: is green knowledge sharing a missing link?

PurposeGreen innovation (GI) in megaprojects has become a significant research topic that attracts both megaproject management scholars' and practitioners' attention. Green transformational leadership (GTL) is acknowledged as an important antecedent to GI in the permanent context. However, limited research investigates the mechanism and condition of how GTL effectively affects GI in the temporary (i.e. megaproject) context. This study seeks to examine the mechanism and condition of GTL in improving GI by assessing the mediating role of green knowledge sharing (GKS) and the moderating effect of innovation climate (IC).Design/methodology/approachRegression analysis was performed on data obtained from 303 experts who have been involved in megaprojects.FindingsGTL has a significant positive impact on two aspects of GI, including green product innovation (GPDI) and green process innovation (GPCI). Besides, GKS mediates the relationship between GTL and the two aspects of GI. Moreover, IC plays a significantly positive moderating role in the relationship between GTL and GKS and the relationship between GKS and the two aspects of GI.Originality/valueThis study adds knowledge to the theory and practice by unveiling the “black box” between GTL and GI in the temporary (i.e. megaproject) context. First, this study extends the continuing discussion on the direct effect of GTL on GI to the temporary (i.e. megaproject) context. Second, this study facilitates the understanding of the mechanism to generate better GI performance considering the mediating role of GKS and the moderating effect of IC in the temporary (i.e. megaproject) context. The results can illuminate megaproject practitioners on generating better GI performance.

Megaproject Governance Research in China: A Review and Visual Analysis from the Whole Life Cycle Perspective

At present, the number of megaprojects in China is rapidly increasing, with multiple projects ranked as the world’s highest. To showcase the theoretical and practical achievements of China’s megaprojects to the world, a visual analysis was carried out using CiteSpace software based on data from 520 pieces of core literature related to megaproject governance in the CNKI database from 2001 to 2023. Our findings indicate that: the number of publications has significantly increased since 2016, with a core group of researchers significantly contributing to this field, while team collaboration needs to be strengthened; the research hotspots include social stability risks, transaction governance, and innovation in megaprojects; the research can be divided into three stages, starting with early macro-studies, gradually forming clear and hierarchical research branches, and beginning to develop in the direction of Chinese characteristics and innovative deepening in recent years; research on the megaproject governance system is becoming gradually more enriched, but there is a lack of research at the levels of top-level governance and operational governance. Finally, in order to advance the study of megaproject governance in China, future research directions are suggested.

An exploratory configurational analysis of collaborative innovation in megaprojects

Despite an increasing emphasis on collaborative innovation in megaprojects, it is still empirically not known how the combinations of drivers could lead to collaborative innovation. Using a configurational approach, this study investigates the combinations of drivers contributing to collaborative innovation. First, questionnaire surveys were used to collect data from a sample of Chinese megaprojects. Data were then analysed by fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The findings demonstrate that four equifinal combinations can promote collaborative innovation: (1) learning, responding to project and clients’ requirements, improving efficiency, responding to competition, and responding to external changes; (2) learning, responding to project and clients’ requirements, and improving efficiency; (3) learning, gaining rewards, and responding to competition; (4) responding to project and clients’ requirements, improving efficiency, gaining rewards, and responding to external changes. Overall, this study contributes to collaborative innovation research and provides practical suggestions to better manage and promote collaborative innovation.

Improving the Effectiveness of Organisational Collaborative Innovation in Megaprojects: An Agent-Based Modelling Approach

As the complexity, breadth of expertise and number of agents involved in megaprojects grow, collaborative innovation models become invaluable for helping to achieve sustainable project development. On this basis, the purpose of this study is to explore the innovation output mechanisms used for collaborative innovation in megaproject (CIMP) systems by the agent-based modelling (ABM) approach, and to promote the efficiency and effectiveness of organisational collaborative innovation through variable controls. A multi-agent simulation CIMP model was developed using the NetLogo tool. The model encompasses the behavioural factors and interaction rules that affect organisational CIMP. Four simulations were conducted, and the results showed that (1) the innovation environment, including policy environment, cultural climate, and engineering demand, has a positive effect on the output rate of CIMP; (2) a larger scale of innovative network organisation accelerates innovation output; (3) innovative organisations must avoid enforcing high standards for cooperation, communication, and recognition abilities when selecting partner organisations; (4) innovative organisations’ ability to absorb technology, information, and knowledge is positively related to output, while an increase in behavioural costs reduces the scale of innovative network organisations, thereby affecting their output. This study developed its CIMP theory from the perspective of organisational behaviour. The findings are expected to provide methodological and practical guidance for the selection of innovation agents, behavioural patterns, and for guaranteeing efficient innovation in collaborative megaproject organisations.

Innovation potential of megaprojects: a systematic literature review

The interest in megaproject management and the role of innovation is increasing. However, the literature on this subject is fragmented, with studies focussing on ‘standard’ projects, failing to recognize the different nature of megaprojects, or discussing innovation dimensions as distinct components. The main aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive understanding of innovation in megaprojects. By means of a systematic literature review this paper synthesizes and analyzes the current academic literature on innovation in megaprojects and identifies potential research gaps. The paper presents the results of the descriptive and content analysis of the identified body of knowledge. We contribute to the literature by developing a theoretical integrated model of innovation in megaprojects, identifying dimensions of innovation, and deriving some propositions on these dimensions as well as the interactions between them. Key findings of the paper for the successful implementation of innovation in megaprojects include the planning for dynamic capability bundles and an innovation process that fits with the innovation package and its actualizing and complementary innovation interactions.

Innovation in megaprojects and the role of project complexity

This article examines innovation in megaprojects and the way in which project complexity plays a role in innovation. Megaprojects are experiencing increasing levels of innovation as a means to deal with complexity and to improve the delivery of megaprojects. So far, the relation between innovation and project complexity is under-explored in the megaproject management literature. Based on a cross-case study of two megaprojects, the paper critically evaluates the dimensions of innovation and the relation with project complexity. It also reveals interactions between innovation dimensions. Project complexity is considered a contingency factor in the influence of innovation on project performance. Policy recommendations include evaluating the adoption of innovation against a reduction of complexity, and improving integration of innovation in the planning of megaprojects.

Study on incentive and supervision mechanisms of technological innovation in megaprojects based on the principal-agent theory

PurposeThe high uncertainty of technological innovation in megaprojects brings great challenges to the R&D institution and also acts as a trigger for moral hazard. The incentive and supervision are effective means to improve the performance of innovation. The purpose of this paper is to propose appropriate incentive and supervision mechanisms to reduce information asymmetry and improve the efficiency of incentives. Suggestions on technological innovation are put forward to megaprojects management.Design/methodology/approachAccording to the principal-agent theory, the research develops incentive models under three states, i.e. information symmetry, information asymmetry and information asymmetry based on supervision mechanism. The Bayesian theory is employed to prove the effectiveness of the novel supervision method based on risk assessment.FindingsThe results indicate that under the information asymmetry, the incentive intensity is positively correlated with the social benefits coefficient, and negatively correlated with the patent benefits coefficient. The R&D effort and the owner's incentive intensity decline with the increase of information asymmetry. The supervision of risks can effectively reduce the degree of information asymmetry, and the higher the uncertainty of innovations, the more significant the effect of supervision is. As the supervision intensity increases, the incentive intensity, the R&D effort and the innovation output will increase. In addition, the R&D institutions with high innovation capability, low unit cost of R&D and low risk-aversion are more willing to make efforts to innovate.Originality/valueThis study fills the research gap on incentive and supervision of technological innovation in megaprojects. The externality of innovation benefits is considered in the model. The traditional incentive model is extended through the introduction of supervision. Furthermore, a novel supervision method based on risk assessment is proposed. The results validate the importance of risk management in technological innovation and provide a new insight for project management.

A system dynamic approach for simulation of a knowledge transfer model of heterogeneous senders in mega project innovation

PurposeThe owners of mega projects typically assemble multiple academic research units and enterprises to form an innovation alliance, which carries out knowledge transfer and knowledge creation targeting technical challenges in the process of engineering construction. Due to high technical and management complexity of mega projects, factors affecting knowledge transfer among innovation subjects are complex and diverse. This study proposes a mixed system dynamics (SD) method to build and simulate the process of knowledge transfer in mega projects innovation and analyzes the driving mechanism that enhances knowledge stock of enterprises and engineering innovation results.Design/methodology/approachFirst, this paper proposes a conceptual model for knowledge transfer in mega projects by adopting event analysis of the data gained from investigations and interviews. Then, a qualitative model of knowledge transfer that considers mutual influences of the owner, academic research unit and enterprises is developed. Based on that, mathematical relationship among variables of the qualitative model is determined and a quantitative model of knowledge transfer that considers heterogeneity of knowledge sender is built. Finally, simulation is achieved using Vensim software.FindingsThe factors affecting knowledge stock of enterprises are analyzed from three aspects: (1) the individual motives and capability of academic research units and enterprises; (2) the gap between academic research units and enterprises; (3) the heterogeneity of academic research units. The results show that the willingness and capability of knowledge reception by enterprises, specific knowledge transfer context such as relational distance and organization distance between academic research units and enterprises and academic research units with high knowledge stock have key influences on the knowledge stock of enterprises.Research limitations/implicationsFactors affecting knowledge transfer within the alliance of innovation in mega projects and their correlations are highly complicated and difficult to determine. Despite massive investigations and interviews on many long-span bridges in China in this study, it is barely possible to directly obtain accurate data for all variables in the model. Limitations of historical data result in limitations on applications of the proposed model.Practical implicationsBy building the mega projects knowledge transfer model and conducting simulation analysis, this paper has generated practical values for the owners of mega projects on fostering, organizing, coordinating and managing of innovations. Especially, this study provides specific strategies and suggestions on selection of innovation subjects, motivation and guaranteed efficiency of knowledge transfer and knowledge creation of academic research units and enterprises.Originality/valueThis study proposes a conceptual model for factors affecting knowledge transfer that applies to innovations in mega project context, which fills the gap in the research of knowledge management in mega project innovations. Additionally, combining with the method of SD, the unique role of owner in knowledge transfer of mega projects and the differences among various knowledge senders and their influences on knowledge stocks of enterprises are thoroughly considered, and the research method of modeling and simulation of knowledge transfer mechanism is supplemented and extended.

What about the people? Micro-foundations of open innovation in megaprojects

Megaprojects require substantial R&D activities involving many different organisations. Megaprojects are therefore an ideal setting for Open Innovation (OI), which favours risk-sharing, enables trustful collaboration, and facilitates the development of breakthrough innovations. OI has been widely studied at the organisational level, however far less attention has been paid at the individual level, including the motivations, costs and benefits perceived by the people involved in the innovation process. This paper aims to address this gap by studying the micro-foundations of OI in megaprojects and focusing on the experiences of people involved in university-industry co-supervised Ph.D. projects. The paper provides two original contributions. Firstly, it contributes to the micro-foundations literature, by analysing the experience of university and industrial supervisors and Ph.D. students involved in megaprojects. Secondly, it expands the OI literature by describing how the interpersonal interactions and the intentional knowledge spillovers promote innovation outside the original boundaries of the Ph.D. project.

Innovation in Megaprojects and the Role of Project Complexity

This article examines innovation in megaprojects and the way in which project complexity plays a role in innovation. Megaprojects are experiencing increasing levels of innovation as a means to deal with complexity and to improve the delivery of megaprojects. So far the relation between innovation and project complexity is under-explored in the megaproject management literature. Based on a cross-case study of two megaprojects, the paper critically evaluates the dimensions of innovation and the relation with project complexity. It also reveals interactions between innovation dimensions. Project complexity is considered a contingency factor in the influence of innovation on project performance. Policy recommendations include evaluating the adoption of innovation against a reduction of complexity, and improving integration of innovation in the planning of megaprojects.

Disruptive Innovation Patterns Driven by Mega-Projects: A Sustainable Development Pattern Case of China’s High-Speed Rail

Sustainable development of mega-projects has drawn many concerns around the world. The theory of disruptive innovation in mega-projects is a typical sustainable development pattern but still lacks systematic understanding. This article takes China’s high-speed rail (CHSR) project as an example to analyze the disruptive innovation pattern of mega-projects. First, this paper systematically traces the theories of disruptive innovation and summarizes the connotations of disruptive innovation. Simultaneously, from the historical development of several typical mega-projects in China, this paper summarizes the connotations of mega-projects. Based on two connotations, this paper summarizes the theoretical basis of disruptive innovation in mega-projects. Second, this paper takes the CHSR project as a case to analyze its innovation pattern from the analysis of the development process, operation mechanism and influence in sustainability; the disruptive innovation pattern is put forward afterward. Third, the discussion is drawn from the perspectives of the characteristics, scope of application and innovation environment of the disruptive innovation of CHSR. Last, the conclusions of this article are summarized.

Balancing Open and Closed Innovation in Megaprojects: Insights from Crossrail

We studied the interplay between open and closed innovation at Crossrail, Europe's largest civil engineering project—aiming to build a suburban railway system in London. Our findings suggest that open and closed innovation can be combined by creating an appropriate communication and exchange environment, whose elements include organizational arrangements (e.g., team organization and task assignment) and methods and rules of communication. We also found that innovation in megaprojects can be successfully driven when the contractors are encouraged to search for and implement incremental solutions to minor problems, not just radical and strategically relevant innovations.

Making Innovation Happen in a Megaproject: London's Crossrail Suburban Railway System

Isolated pockets of innovation can be found in projects–-such as the novel solution used to redesign the Velodrome roof during the London 2012 Olympics–-but there have been few, if any, systematic efforts to manage innovation in a megaproject. This paper presents the initial findings of an ongoing three-year (2012–2014) action research project between Crossrail and researchers at Imperial College London and University College London. Action research is well suited to a setting where an intervention is required to diagnose and solve an organizational problem and produce scientific findings (Miles & Huberman, 1994; Van de Ven, 2007). Undertaken in collaboration with practitioners, the aim of action research is to transform the research setting through a process of critical inquiry and action. Our engagement with Crossrail aimed to formulate and implement an innovation strategy to improve the performance and outcomes of the project. We identified four stages–-or windows of opportunity–-to intervene to generate, discover, and implement innovation in a megaproject: (1) the bridging window during the front-end when ideas, learning, and practices from other projects and industries can be used to create an innovative project process, organization, and governance structure; (2) the engaging window, when tendering and contractual processes can be used by the client to encourage contractors and suppliers to develop novel ideas and innovative solutions; (3) the leveraging window, when all the parties involved–-clients, delivery partners, and suppliers–-are mobilized to develop novel ideas, new technologies, and organizational practices to improve performance; and (4) the exchanging window at the back-end, when ideas and resources for innovation can be (re) combined with those of other projects in the wider innovation ecosystem to improve performance. The first two stages had largely occurred when we became involved in the Crossrail project in 2012. Our intervention addressed the final two stages, when we assisted in the development and implementation of an innovation strategy. Core to this strategy was a coordinated mobilization of the innovative capabilities across the project supply chain. Though, to be successful, this approach had to be open enough to span organizational boundaries beyond the supply chain, reaching into the broader ecosystem. The four windows provide a valuable new heuristic for organizing innovation in megaprojects, pointing to areas where project managers can craft targeted innovation interventions and compare their efforts with those of others.

Innovation in Megaprojects: Systems Integration at London Heathrow Terminal 5

Megaprojects require investment of $1bn or more to build infrastructure, usually involving a complex system of production consisting of discrete, routine, and highvolume repetitive processes. Many of these processes can be progressively standardized and replicated to improve overall productive performance. This article presents the findings of research on design and production of London's Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 (T5). The findings were used to develop a conceptual framework—which we call the systems integration model—to identify the project and operational processes that contribute to success in delivering megaprojects. The systems integrator is the lead organization in a megaproject, responsible for establishing a governance structure, managing risk, and coordinating processes performed by a large network of external suppliers. Innovations based on the recombination and replication of processes can be introduced to improve megaproject performance.