title: Innovation evaluation model for macro-construction sector companies: A study in Spain.
abstract: The innovativeness of the traditional construction sector, composed of construction companies or contractors, is not one of its strong points. Likewise, its poor productivity in comparison with other sectors, such as manufacturing, has historically been criticized. Similar features are found in the Spanish traditional construction sector, which it has been described as not very innovative. However, certain characteristics of the sector may explain this behavior; the companies invest in R+D less than in other sectors and release fewer patents, so traditional innovation evaluation indicators do not reflect the true extent of its innovative activity. While previous research has focused on general innovation evaluation models, limited research has been done regarding innovation evaluation in the macro-construction sector, which includes, apart from the traditional construction companies or contractors, all companies related to the infrastructure life-cycle. Therefore, in this research an innovation evaluation model has been developed for macro-construction sector companies and is applied in the Spanish case. The model may be applied to the macro-construction sector companies in other countries, requiring the adaption of the model to the specific characteristics of the sector in that country, in consultation with a panel of experts at a national level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of Bilbao, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Alameda Urquijo s/n, 48013 Bilbao, Spain. Electronic address: m.zubizarreta@ehu.eus.
authors.forename: Mikel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zubizarreta
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of Bilbao, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Alameda Urquijo s/n, 48013 Bilbao, Spain.
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cuadrado
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of Bilbao, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Alameda Urquijo s/n, 48013 Bilbao, Spain.
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Iradi
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of Bilbao, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Alameda Urquijo s/n, 48013 Bilbao, Spain.
authors.forename: Harkaitz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: García
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of Bilbao, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Alameda Urquijo s/n, 48013 Bilbao, Spain.
authors.forename: Aimar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Orbe
mesh_terms: D060389:Construction Industry / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D013030:Spain
keywords: Evaluation; Innovation; Macro-construction sector; Model; Spain