Abstract
Emphasis on the importance of innovation within the construction
industry to a larger extent has received an increased call. The need for the construction industry
to facilitate technological innovations in order to maintain a competitive edge in the market lower
Construction cost, improve quality, maximize productivity and meet the infrastructure need of the
economy has been further emphasized. Realization of this increased importance of innovation will be
nullified if the barriers to implementation of innovation are not understudied with provisions of
stringent measures to mitigate the barriers to innovation. This exploratory paper analyses the
barriers to implementation of construction innovation in the construction industry and likewise
proposes measures of reducing the barriers to construction innovation. The research methodology
includes extensive literature review supported with and random interviews. In all thirty (30)
contractors, clients and construction association professionals were contacted via structured
interviews to ascertain the existence and severity of the barriers. Findings from the study
revealed that some of the barriers to construction innovation include: industry barriers,
organizational barriers, legislative and regulatory barriers amongst others. It is recommended that
effective collaboration within the construction sector and its stakeholders should be fostered in
order to facilitate construction innovation as evidenced from other industries. Moreover, the
formulation and cooperation of governmental and institutional policies which does not suppress
construction companies must be established.