Abstract/Summary

The culture of high-performance racing, whether Formula One, Nascar, or sports cars represents the continuous push for better performance. The research focuses upon understanding how stakeholders designing and building motor racing venues experience the innovation process through both new and refurbishment projects. This paper will provide a review of the literature relative to the nature of innovations within the construction setting, considering a range of theoretical and methodological approaches. The context of innovative designs and high-performance facilities serves as a novel exploration given that the nature of the facilities seems to attract these innovative solutions. Given this seeming repeatability of pursuit and success in innovation on this project type suggests that the context allows construction firms to successfully mobilize their innovative ideas and construction expertise. Using the captured data from two case study projects; Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi and the Daytona International Speedway in the USA, we explore the phenomenon around the mobilization of innovation in these contexts. Data is collected through extensive, unstructured interviews with key leadership in both projects to explore the emergent nature of innovation and the evolving facility design, construction, and operations. Innovation is born, resides and lives within a loosely and tightly knit network of stakeholders. We will connect the discursive nature of innovation in such settings and projects back to the innovation literature.