Driving supplier innovations towards digitalization of infrastructure projects

Digitalization offers huge possibilities in the infrastructure industry, and there is an increasing need for rapid development of digitalization. Innovation collaboration with suppliers and other external organisations is an important means to complement an organisation's knowledge base. The aim of this study is to explore how a public client can drive supplier innovations towards digitalization of infrastructure projects. To research the phenomenon empirically, an in-depth single-case study was conducted. Based on the data, a three level framework to drive supplier innovations was developed. The client should be active in influencing the supplier market by early interaction with potential suppliers. Innovation can also be procured. As the whole industry is built up in a project-based mode of delivery, it is important to understand how to enhance innovations developed as part of infrastructure projects. Here, the results directly support the investment project's goals.