Towards a model of stimulants and obstacles to individual creativity in construction

Dickinson, MT

Abstract

One issue that might account for successful innovation in construction is the work
environment for creative thinking and idea generation. This dissertation aims to
identify potential stimulants and obstacles in the construction work environment that
influence creative behaviour.
The research presented here is based on a review of general creativity, innovation and
construction innovation literatures. A theoretical model of stimulants and obstacles
was developed from the literature review. The theoretical model was tested in four
case studies with senior construction practitioners. The results of the case studies
were analysed and the theoretical model was found to be robust, but some refinement
of the model took place to produce a working model of stimulants and obstacles to
creativity in construction.
The working model reveals potential stimulants and obstacles to creativity at four
levels of analysis: the environmental external of organisations; the organisational
level; the project team level and the job role level. The conclusion is made that a
great deal of the influences to individual creativity in construction are under the
control of supervisors and project managers, however, other construction stakeholders
can also play important roles in fostering creativity.

Citation

Dickinson, M. Towards a model of stimulants and obstacles to individual creativity in construction. (Dissertation). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Dissertation
• Deposit Date: Jun 29, 2021
• Award Date: Jun 1, 2004