User driven innovation in mobile technologies?

Developing dedicated mobile technology systems for AEC demands the introduction of user driven innovation. A Danish research project collected international examples and user-experiences of mobile and handheld ICT in the building industry i.a. by reading off the functionality of the mobile technology systems relying on the concept of affordance. This paper examines how innovation processes mediate between user orientations and technology offers. There is a great potential for mobile handheld ICT-systems to support numerous work processes in the AEC-industry and this can be substantiated by systems already in function. Stories of prior business successes can be an important tool to ensure further innovative investments since lack of enterprise strategies is often an obstacle for innovation, especially user driven. Both small and large software houses develops dedicated software for coupling site practises, and headquarters - inspired by specific user needs for optimizing work processes. The most important mechanisms evoked for creating the mediating found in the paper are 'hybrids' where professionals from AEC establishes a software house, developing ICT-products for specific on-site processes. On the other hand generic technologies are also widely implemented in routine and day-today activities, making mobile technologies in construction a mix of user and technology driven innovations.