Professional service firms both within and outside the construction sector are characterised by relatively small firm sizes and knowledge intensive work. This latest volume from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors' (RICS) book series published by Wiley‐Blackwell on “Innovation in the Built Environment” highlights the need to study these two dimensions specifically within the construction service sector.
The book rightly notes that innovation research has historically focused on the manufacturing sector. It also notes that with a steady growth of the service sector within most developed economies, it has become essential that innovation is studied in the context of the service industry as well. The research presented in this book does so by looking at service innovation within small professional practices in the UK Construction Industry UK. The UK Construction Industry, as many will be aware, comprises mostly of medium to small size firms. This research, therefore, looks into the various forms of knowledge, innovation, and value creation within such firms: adding to our understanding of how these small‐to‐medium‐sized enterprises create and manage innovation and creativity.
The research uses the case study framework and the book follows a thesis‐like structure, i.e. introducing the readers to the research, discussing issues from previous literature, methodology, case study description, discussion and conclusion. Although it serves as a great example of how case study research could be presented, I do feel that there is some room to perhaps make the book more enjoyable and relevant for a wider readership.
The research itself is thorough and the review chapters meticulously explain and link the relevant concepts including human capital, relationship capital, knowledge and knowledge work and the choices made during the research are very clearly articulated. The research asserts that prevalent construction industry guidance for innovation is inappropriate for small construction practice firms. It stipulates that since small service firms rely heavily on human capital, it only makes sense to use the firms' internal capacity, ability and motivation to use knowledge as an Innovation resource. Also highlighted is the need for senior management's involvement during the innovation process.
The research presented has a strong theoretical background, while it also has practitioner relevance. It is academically rigorous, informed by the latest thinking surrounding the issue of innovation in the built environment. The research presentation is of specific relevance to researchers undertaking, and justifying, a single case study as their research method.
