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Article
Publication date: 11 October 2011

Søren Wandahl, Alexia Jacobsen, Astrid Heidemann Lassen, Søren Bolvig Poulsen and Henrik Sørensen

User‐driven innovation (UDI) has been proven to successfully increase the value of products and services in single companies with direct linkages to the end‐user. The construction…

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Abstract

Purpose

User‐driven innovation (UDI) has been proven to successfully increase the value of products and services in single companies with direct linkages to the end‐user. The construction material industry often has no direct linkages to the end‐user, due to supply networks through builder merchants. Moreover, a lack of user knowledge is common in such networks, and companies rarely have explicit knowledge on how their products and services are in fact used and valued by their end‐users. Thus, it is clear that UDI is not directly applicable to the construction material industry without further developments. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that a network perspective is essential when adapting and implementing UDI in the construction material industry and to let the advantages of doing so surface.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design includes a number of different approaches and types of interaction between the researchers and industry. Additionally, an extensive literature review on UDI is carried out to identify variables necessary for successful adaptation to a network perspective.

Findings

The conclusion of this research validates that a network approach to adapting UDI in the construction material industry is a precondition for a successful innovation journey. In addition, it was concluded that by adapting the network perspective new value‐adding potentials became visible, which could have a huge impact on innovation, effectiveness, efficiency, etc. in the construction material industry.

Originality/value

The paper adds to the body of knowledge on how to implement UDI in a supply network by developing a framework for such an innovation process. The framework has its outset in any given generic new product development model with a logical sequence of steps. However, the framework is further developed into defining the networks activities, the internal activities, and the user‐oriented activities needed.

Details

Construction Innovation, vol. 11 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

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Article
Publication date: 18 December 2023

Søren Munch Lindhard, Astrid Heidemann Lassen, Yang Cheng, Matteo Musso, Geng Wang and Shaoping Bai

Exoskeletons are moving into industries with the potential to reduce muscle strains and prevent occupational injuries. Although exoskeletons have been designed and tested in…

393

Abstract

Purpose

Exoskeletons are moving into industries with the potential to reduce muscle strains and prevent occupational injuries. Although exoskeletons have been designed and tested in laboratory settings, rare empirical studies of their application in construction have been reported. Therefore, the purpose of this study is on in a real-life setting testing the applicability of adopting exoskeletons in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A feasibility study of exoskeletons in construction is conducted by testing a passive exoskeleton, designed for shoulder support. Five bricklayers tested in a two-month period the exoskeleton, each wearing it for a three-day period while carrying out normal work activities. Test data in terms of interviews were collected and analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Findings

The application of exoskeletons in construction revealed several limitations, where the two primary ones are the exoskeleton is not designed while considering the tasks of a bricklayer causing several challenges and the exoskeleton only supports a single upward motion while limiting other movements and even counteracted when a downward movement was necessary.

Originality/value

The identified challenges could easily have been revealed by coupling the design and testing of exoskeletons to actual application. Thus, the design approach needs to be reversed. Instead of designing an exoskeleton to support a specific body part or motion and then identifying where it is applicable, it should target specific industries and focus on the actual work and movements and the necessary support. As part of the change, the design metrics should be reevaluated to reflect the work to support.

Details

Construction Innovation , vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

Keywords

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