The concept of innovation in the Malaysian housing industry

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Date
2011-04
Authors
Lai, Kong Seng
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Abstract
In the past few years, innovation has been recognized as the key driver to sustain competitive advantages. Previous studies also show that implementation of innovation still remains slow in the housing industry and it is unwise to adopt any innovation perceived from other industries. The present study aims to gain better knowledge on the concept of innovation from the perspective of housing developers. There are 3 objectives that have been drawn to achieve the aim; first is to identifY the meaning of innovation from the perspective of housing developers; second is to identifY types of innovation implemented by the housing developers and the third is to identifY the advantages of innovation. A total of 181 housing developers were randomly selected from the list of housing developers registered with the Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (REHDA) in Penang and Selangor. Questionnaires were distributed to these developers through fax and face-to-face distribution. 33 responded, contributing to the response rate of 18.23%. The data was analyzed using the reliability test and descriptive analysis. Follow-up interviews were carried out to 3 other developers to gain in-depth information on issues arisen in the survey results. Interview data had been transcribed, organized and coded. The findings show that the concept of innovation defined by housing developers constitute of 5 keywords; "applicable", "useful", "solve problem", "new" and "improvement", denoting the complex nature and the multiple parties involved in the housing industry. Market innovation and product innovation have also been implemented by the housing developers. Through to the end of this present study, there are 4 advantages that the developers gain from being innovative; sustaining competitive advantages, rejuvenating a mature business, strengthening the organization and increasing the profit or sales.
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Implementation of innovation still remains slow , in the housing industry
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