Collaborative approaches to the construction industry have gained, recently, popularity and begun to be widely seen as the way forward to overcome inherent challenges in the industry, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of its various theoretical foundations and practical applications. To this aim, this research thoroughly explores one of the most novel collaborative approaches, Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). Initially, the research addresses the lack of an R&D framework in the IPD field and simultaneously underscores the need for such a framework to determine a path forward for research and development. An R&D framework for IPD was developed based on an extensive literature review of 175 articles and, subsequently, validated through a panel of experts and a research project encompassed three case studies. The research journey expands upon this foundational knowledge by introducing a novel qualitative IPD maturity matrix. Formulated from insights into successful IPD implementations, this matrix is conceived as a robust tool, bridging the existing knowledge gap in qualitative indicators and ensuring an informed and optimized approach to IPD deployment. In the final stage of the study, the transformative influence of IPD is investigated, specifically its far-reaching « ripple effect » on organizational practices and procedures. When taken as a whole, these steps provide a comprehensive account of IPD’s development from its theoretical foundations through its application and, ultimately, its impact on organizational dynamics within the construction industry.