Abstract: The dream of better relationships among different supply chain partners; trust
and transparency during different construction activities; integrated supply chain;
completion of projects on time, within the agreed cost, with promised quality products and
services, and so on, have now been achieved within the UK construction industry due to
innovation within the project procurement processes and activities. There has also been a
growing realisation that the promotion of innovative thinking, in procurement processes for
supply chain integration, offers all the involved parties some key benefits in terms of more
flexibility and adaptability, commercial growth, and improved quality of products, and
delivered service. This paper highlights the benefits of, and the motivation towards
innovative procurement through two case studies done as part of a supply chain integration
project at the SCRI research centre. The case studies demonstrate how organizations
involved have promoted innovative thinking across the supply chain through innovative
procurement. The case studies also highlight some of the critical factors that motivated
people within those firms to move from traditional way of procurement, and search,
innovate, and implement the new procurement thoughts and models. The paper concludes
that these studies offer transferable learning opportunities and motivation for the staff of
other construction firms seeking to promote integration within their supply chains through
innovative procurement routes.
Key words: innovation; motivation; procurement; supply chain integration