Collaboration and innovation beyond project boundaries: exploring the potential of an ecosystem perspective in the infrastructure sector

Lynn Vosman*, Tom B.J. Coenen, Leentje Volker, Klaasjan Visscher

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)
209 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Current societal challenges demand enduring engagement and the implementation of innovations. Unfortunately, the project-based nature of the construction industry fails to offer suitable conditions for innovation and change in terms of building long-term relationships and aligning incentives beyond the project scope. In this paper, we explore the potential of an innovation ecosystem perspective to reach sector-wide goals related to societal challenges in the infrastructure sector. Accordingly, five Dutch infrastructure cases were studied in terms of four characteristics: (1) actor heterogeneity; (2) strategic alignment of actors; (3) alignment with respect to a value proposition; and (4) governance structure. We found that the innovation ecosystem perspective has the potential to contribute to innovation in the sector, especially when specific innovations or knowledge building are pursued. In particular, the long-term perspective to collaboration in relation to addressing societal challenges and the shift to more relational ways of governance were found promising avenues for incorporation in the industry. The innovation ecosystem perspective in infrastructure, however, also poses substantial organizational, cultural, and processual challenges, such as adopting novel practices with respect to collaboration and establishing continuing informal relationships beyond the public procurement context.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)457-474
Number of pages18
JournalConstruction management and economics
Volume41
Issue number6
Early online date16 Jan 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Jun 2023

Keywords

  • UT-Hybrid-D

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