Sustainable solutions in construction from the perspective of innovation activity

Abstract

PURPOSE: The imperative of sustainable development is perceived to be the most important path for socio-economic development. Sustainable goals influence all aspects of human activity, covering also a construction sector. Therefore, the aim of the work was to examine the impact of sustainable solutions in construction on the innovation activity of a company managing an environmentally friendly business complex.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Besides theoretical consideration, empirical data was collected. In-depth interviews and investigation of materials (provided by the company for research purposes) led to an analysis of a case study of Posejdon Center – a sustainable business complex.

FINDINGS: All sustainable solutions have impacted the broad spectrum of innovation activities undertaken by the operator. The study showed that sustainable solutions influence the processes of managing the building and also affect the marketing efforts, which cover the area of business process innovation.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Environmentally friendly solutions implemented in buildings are innovations related with new technologies in the phase of a construction process, but when the building starts operating on a real estate market, such solution influence the broad spectrum of innovation activity of operators of such buildings.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The examination of the impact of sustainable solutions in construction on the innovation activity of a company managing an environmentally friendly business complex provide valuable theoretical and practical knowledge that combines sustainability with boosting innovation performance. Moreover, it implies a series of further studies, eg. how to improve the efficiency of sustainable building management.