Toppinen, A; Sauru, M; Pätäri, S; Lähtinen, K and Tuppura, A (2019) Internal and external factors of competitiveness shaping the future of wooden multistory construction in Finland and Sweden. Construction Management and Economics, 37(4), pp. 201-216. ISSN 01446193
Abstract
In transitioning to a renewable material-based bio economy, growing public and industry interest is apparent for using wooden multistory construction (WMC) as a sustainable urban housing solution in Europe, but its business implications are not well understood. In our study, we evaluate, which internal and external factors of competitiveness are shaping the future of WMC, especially in the context of Finland and Sweden. Based on a multi-level perspective of socio-technical transitions, we conducted a three-stage dissensus-based Delphi study. The identified internal and external factors affecting the future competitiveness of the WMC business emphasize the importance of skilled architects and builders and the role of standardized building systems. Based on our results, the key aspects influencing the future competitiveness of WMC in the region are related to the development of technical infrastructure and project-based business networks, while additional changes in regulatory framework are perceived as less important. We conclude that towards 2030, the strong cognitive rules founded in the concrete-based building culture in these countries is likely to inhibit the dynamics of the socio-technical regime level. A change is also needed in the WMC business culture towards more open cross-sectoral collaboration and new business networks between different-sized players.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | business networks; competitiveness; Delphi method; wood |
| Index terms: | Delphi method, Europe, cognitive rule, socio-technical, wood, Finland, Sweden, dynamics, building system, architect, competitiveness, business culture, renewable material, builder, collaboration, socio-technical regime, housing |
| Subjects: | Geography, physical geography and landforms, management, research methods, decision-making and reasoning, traditional and composite building materials, systems engineering, market analysis, sociology, engineering systems, practitioner, data collection methods, profession, construction type, building materials |
| Topics: | Construction Technology, Roles and Professions, Construction Materials, Engineering Principles, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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