Download PDFOpen PDF in browserLongitudinal Case Study Analysis to Identify an Innovation Process for Contractors in Megaprojects10 pages•Published: July 23, 2025AbstractConstruction megaprojects often exhibit high degrees of innovation due to their singularity. They are captivating and we must expect the innovation process to be the same. To identify and describe the innovation process of contractors is our objective; a process model of innovation is our primary contribution. Since little relevant information is available, descriptive research on the innovation process by contractors might benefit a better understanding. Longitudinal studies observing innovation promise to generate the deepest insight possible because innovation itself takes time. We conducted research in four projects as case studies alternating between action research, observation, primary and secondary source documents, and interviews for data collection using grounded theory for data evaluation. Literature from the fields of construction management, organizational management, social psychology and cognitive science helped to embed the data into theory. The data reveal a highly complex, iterative and messy process with nine overlapping process groups. The contractors were never able to define problems completely and used simplifying heuristics. Satisficing behavior and bounded rationality replaced optimization.Keyphrases: innovation process, megaprojects, problem solving, satisficing, what if questions In: Wesley Collins, Anthony J. Perrenoud and John Posillico (editors). Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 61st Annual International Conference, vol 6, pages 440-449.
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