Enhancing Innovation in Projects; A qualitative study on how the Swedish Transport Administration can enhance innovation during the time of a contract

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate how Trafikverket as the client can enhance innovation during the time of a contract. Trafikverket is a large client with a significant number of suppliers working for them in infrastructure projects. The project-based industry seems to be not as explored as the firm-level regarding the process of innovation. The aim of this paper was to further explore what factors that are important and can support innovation on a project-based level involving different actors, with Trafikverket as the client. Due to the role as a client, it is also of value to evaluate innovation due to incentives connected to innovation. To gather data, the first step was a single case study of an infrastructure project with innovation focus. Second, four interviews with contractor companies and six interviews with consultancy companies were performed. Third, to get a perspective from the client organization, a workshop with project managers from Trafikverket was conducted. Several factors which can be important to improve the process have been found such as an early involvement, knowledge management and project champions. Also the importance of creating a culture in which new ideas can be encouraged can be crucial. However, one significant barrier seems to be in the internal processes of the client, which can have a big impact on whether how many ideas that can be evaluated and implemented during the time of o contract. The final recommendation includes further work on how to minimize this barrier which can be crucial to enhance innovation during the time of a contract.