Enablers of incremental innovation in construction firms: a systematic literature review

Purpose Incremental innovation is widely perceived as essential for construction firms seeking to sustain competitiveness, enhance project performance capabilities and adapt to changing industry demands. However, it has received limited attention compared to radical innovation, which emphasises disruptive change. Existing studies often examine individual enablers in isolation, with a limited understanding of how incremental innovation can be systematically supported. This paper addresses this gap by synthesising past studies to identify the enablers that support incremental innovation in construction firms. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review guided by preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses 2020 was conducted on 60 articles published between 2015 and 2025. Using the human-technology-organisation (HTO) framework, the review identified 8 key enablers with 18 sub-enablers that explain how incremental innovation can be effectively supported within construction firms. Findings The analysis shows that the human, technological and organisational categories of the HTO framework are interdependent in fostering incremental innovation. Among these, teamwork emerged as the main key enabler, while collaboration emerged as the most cited sub-enabler and is frequently associated with the successful implementation of incremental innovation in construction firms. Originality/value Despite increasing attention, enablers of incremental innovation remain underexplored and inconsistently categorised. This paper offers practical guidance on elements that can support the growth of incremental innovation in construction firms. By consolidating fragmented insights, it provides a foundation for future empirical studies and offers guidance for practitioners seeking to foster incremental innovation in their firms, with potential implications for improved collaborative practices in construction projects.