It is well known that digitization is our times single largest change factor. This research proposal takes its basis in the existing change and the barriers and drivers that exist when it comes to increased digitization in the Swedish Build Environment sector, in general, and the Swedish construction industry, specifically. In both newly published government reports, and more research-based literature, central features of the construction industry, in terms of inertia for change, fragmentation, shortsightedness and limited incentives for collaboration, are outlined. These features however stand in a sharp contrast to the basic conditions that contemporary research has identified as essential to the achievement of successful digitally driven industry development. The features consequently constitute potential barriers and challenges for change on both an organizational- and industry level. Against this backdrop, the overall aim of the project is to create an understanding of how industry partners experience and handle these challenges in their efforts to develop and streamline the industry, and describe and analyze how the existing barriers can be bridged.

The proposed project uses a qualitative approach in the form of a combination of in-depth interviews and focus groups with industry actors such as facility managers, developers, contractors, consultants, and architects. With the basis in a so-called institutional approach, we will both increase knowledge and provide practical suggestions for how the barriers can be prevented or managed. This is knowledge and suggestions that are of central importance for all the construction industry actors who have a genuine interest in the development of the industry, and the potentials that increased digitization provide.

Project manager: Prof. Henrik Linderoth Jönköping University

Project partner: Jönköpings läns Byggmästareförening Project time: 2016-2018
Funded by: Formas and the project partner
Total budget: 2,7 million SEK