Summary information

Study title

Relational Spaces of Innovation in Architecture Firms, 2007

Creator

Faulconbridge, J., Lancaster University, Department of Geography

Study number / PID

6123 (UKDA)

10.5255/UKDA-SN-6123-1 (DOI)

Data access

Restricted

Series

Not available

Abstract

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.


What are the forms and geographies of the relational spaces of innovation in leading global architecture firms? A British Academy funded research project sought to answer this question and had the following objectives: to map and explore the multiple, scale transcending, networks and circuits of social practice informing innovation in global architecture firms; to provide empirical exposition of these social practices; and to examine the processes of embedding ideas in local contexts.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with architects working for global firms in London, Paris, San Francisco, New York and Tokyo. Interviews were also conducted with representatives from architectural professional associations based in the same five cities. Interviews revealed the practices and experiences of individuals involved in innovation and the intricacies of the local embedding of innovations. In particular the interviews offer insights into the complex ecologies of innovation that architects inhabit and the multiple actor-networks that put the designs of global firms in their place.

Main Topics:

A number of themes are covered in the interviews:
  • the behaviours and characteristics of the successful, innovative architect
  • the social practices (teamwork, collaboration, inter personal networks of communication) involved in innovation and the geographies of these practices
  • the importance of professional discourses in informing innovation

Methodology

Data collection period

01/01/2007 - 01/10/2007

Country

England, France, Japan, United States

Time dimension

Cross-sectional (one-time) study

Analysis unit

Individuals
Institutions/organisations
Cross-national
Subnational

Universe

Architects and representatives of professional architectural associations in London, Tokyo, San Francisco, New York City and Paris during 2007.

Sampling procedure

Purposive selection/case studies
Volunteer sample

Kind of data

Text
Semi-structured interview transcripts

Data collection mode

Face-to-face interview

Funding information

Grant number

SG-43996

Access

Publisher

UK Data Service

Publication year

2009

Terms of data access

The Data Collection is available to UK Data Service registered users subject to the End User Licence Agreement.

Commercial use of the data requires approval from the data owner or their nominee. The UK Data Service will contact you.

Related publications

Not available