Sustainability and Innovation Paper - Assignment Example

There are different sources of innovation depending on the area where the innovations are to occur. The main innovation source is change in structure where things in an organization or company will be organized and formulated in a new way. Innovations can also arise from experimentations (Rolf, 2008, p.21). This involves some empirical processes that are crucial for designing the innovation. Innovation occurs in different sectors and one of the crucial ones where it has and will continue to take place is in the construction industry.

There are different types of innovations that have occurred in the construction industry ranging from the materials used to do the innovations to the methods used to do the same. In the past the topic had been ignored but from some years ago people have realized the roles that the sector plays and why changes have to be made accordingly. This is a topic that has been taken with much weight by engineers from different corners of the world. The innovations are mainly done for various reasons; (i) To reduce hazards and risks in the construction sites during the process and after the process. (ii) To reduce expenses that are incurred in coming up with complete constructions.

This will mean innovating in new materials to be used in the construction processes. . The main one that is a threat to the present generations and future generations is global warming (Elzen, Geels and Green, 2004, p.18). This is changing the environment at an alarming rate and some scientists have predicted that the situation in some areas is likely to be beyond control unless necessary measures are put in place promptly to rescue such. In United Kingdom the matter has been taken with much weight since they have recognized that the different personnel that are involved in the construction activities have slowed and even ignored preserving the environment through the different activities they undertake (Horbach, 2005, p.41). This is more in the construction industry with much force been on the small contractors.

For innovations to be said to be successful, they must satisfy the needs of all stakeholders. The innovation involves a process that is arranged in a sequential manner. The first one is research that is carried out by experts in that field. After research there is discovery that results from the research carried out. After discovery there is development followed by patenting & approval. This is then followed by production, marketing and then lastly adoption (Fisk 2010, p.39). Innovations can be stimulated or caused by external forces or internal forces in an organization.

The external forces that are likely to pressurize innovations are globalization of markets, social change, government deregulation, fragmentation of markets, and emergence of new technologies. Internal forces that can pressurize innovations in an organization are profitability, core competencies, and high-quality employees (Heinelt & Smith, 2003, p.43). Sustainable development Sustainable development is a wide concept that is minimized in definition to mean