Innovation in residential construction

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Technol. Rev.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5663417

Ventre, F T

Although traditional buying preferences have led home builders to avoid or disguise innovative building technologies, and superficial examinations have kept casual observers from discovering many of the changes they have adopted, economists and industrial productivity specialists remain unimpressed with the construction industry. Critics blame the slowness they perceive on inefficiency and undercapitalization. The author examines how the construction industry, which he characterizes as diverse, broadly dispersed, detached, and discontinuous in comparison to conventional industries, adopted 14 important housing innovations. He finds that the speed of adoption was comparable to that of other industries. Regulations are identified as the gateway through which these innovations must pass and, though often blamed as deterrents, the real barriers are found to be union resistance or changes in social technology. Congress established the National Institute of Building Sciences to standardize regulations and expedite the introduction of new technology. 10 references.

• OSTI ID: 5663417
• Journal Information: Technol. Rev.; (United States), Journal Name: Technol. Rev.; (United States) Vol. 82:2; ISSN TEREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320101* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Residential Buildings-- (-1987)
BUILDING CODES
BUILDINGS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONSTRUCTION
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
HOUSES
INDUSTRY
LABOR RELATIONS
PERFORMANCE
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION