An empirical study on the effects of COVID-like environmental perturbation on attitude towards innovation in construction

Abstract: This paper presents preliminary results from an empirical study on the effects of environmental perturbation, such as the pandemic-driven disruptions, on attitude towards innovation. The results based on a survey with 266 construction professionals demonstrate that such perturbations force a change in the attitude towards innovation, both among individuals and organizations. The study also validates the earlier claims that this change can be positive as well as negative. Cases of both increase and decrease in innovation-related activities are reported. Findings also suggest that the perturbation-induced excitation aligns the needs and priorities of the different actors in the ecosystem, fostering innovation activities.