How innovative is construction? Comparing aggregated data on construction innovation and other sectors – a case of apples and pears

This research note addresses the widespread perception that construction performs badly compared to other industrial sectors. The evidence for this perception is usually based on comparative industrial performance data. However, due to technical problems with the Standard Industrial Classifications used, like is not compared with like in these analyses, to the systematic disadvantage of the construction industry's comparative performance. In an effort to improve the performance of the industry, the auto industry is often held up as an exemplar. However, when that industry is compared on a like‐for‐like basis with construction, it proves to have a poor record of performance.