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Applicability and benefits of the ecosystem concept in the construction industry

Author

Listed:
  • Lauri Pulkka
  • Miro Ristimäki
  • Karoliina Rajakallio
  • Seppo Junnila

Abstract

Inter-firm collaboration has increased significantly in the last decades. The concept of ecosystem has emerged to explain the nature and implications of businesses’ increasing reliance on networks. The ecosystem concept is intended to be generalizable across sectors, but research on ecosystems has focused on high-tech industries. Moreover, the construction industry has special features that differentiate it from other industries. In this paper, the concept of the ecosystem is introduced and developed in the context of the construction industry and the relationship between ecosystem characteristics and value creation in construction networks is examined. Based on a multiple-case study of six networks in the Finnish and Swedish construction industry, it is suggested that the ecosystem concept is applicable and offers a useful analytical lens for understanding value creation in the construction industry. The results suggest that operating according to ecosystem principles is positively connected to value creation in construction networks. Based on a cross-case analysis, a conceptual framework is presented on the main connections between ecosystem characteristics and value creation. The relevance of the ecosystem concept for the construction industry is predicted to grow in the future, as previous studies suggest that ecosystem-like features are being increasingly employed in construction networks.

Suggested Citation

  • Lauri Pulkka & Miro Ristimäki & Karoliina Rajakallio & Seppo Junnila, 2016. "Applicability and benefits of the ecosystem concept in the construction industry," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 34(2), pages 129-144, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:conmgt:v:34:y:2016:i:2:p:129-144
    DOI: 10.1080/01446193.2016.1179773
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    3. Toppinen, Anne & Röhr, Axel & Pätäri, Satu & Lähtinen, Katja & Toivonen, Ritva, 2018. "The future of wooden multistory construction in the forest bioeconomy – A Delphi study from Finland and Sweden," Journal of Forest Economics, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 3-10.
    4. Hanna-Liisa Kangas & David Lazarevic & Paula Kivimaa, 2017. "Technical skills, disinterest and non-functional regulation: Energy efficiency barriers viewed in an ecosystem of energy service companies," SPRU Working Paper Series 2017-04, SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex Business School.
    5. Kangas, Hanna-Liisa & Lazarevic, David & Kivimaa, Paula, 2018. "Technical skills, disinterest and non-functional regulation: Barriers to building energy efficiency in Finland viewed by energy service companies," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 63-76.
    6. Yingnan Yang & Yidan Zhang & Hongming Xie, 2020. "Exploring Cultivation Path of Building Information Modelling in China: An Analysis from the Perspective of an Innovation Ecosystem," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-16, August.

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