Examining Construction Contracting Innovation: Reality and Misconceptions

Countries are making policy choices regarding threats such as climate change, deglobalization, and rapid urbanization. These governmental decisions can encourage two paths (a) frugality or (b) advanced products and services. Importantly, a creative and inventive construction contracting industry is a significant part of the solution. This research is focused on construction innovation, which is believed to help overcome these challenges but requires considering various factors, including the unique sector it is. The researchers assert that there are misconceptions. This paper explored Australian construction innovation dynamics and discussed critical lessons. Construction contracting’s primary inventive outputs appear to be three types. The research found evidence that contractors may be late adopters due to outsized risks. However, this industry is not a laggard in its innovation activity compared to its category. Additionally, the literature and industry data suggest that contractors—main and sub—should be reclassified as unique and occupy a “category of one”.