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Dynamic interactions between sustainability and competitiveness in construction firms: A transition perspective

Rui-Dong Chang (School of Architecture and Built Environment, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia)
Jian Zuo (School of Architecture and Built Environment, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia)
Veronica Soebarto (School of Architecture and Built Environment, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia)
Zhen-Yu Zhao (School of Economics and Management, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, China)
George Zillante (School of Architecture and Built Environment, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia)

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management

ISSN: 0969-9988

Article publication date: 18 September 2017

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Abstract

Purpose

Sustainability and competitiveness have received extensive attentions. Despite a large number of studies on sustainability and competitiveness in the construction industry, little research has been conducted to holistically explore the interactions between these two concepts. From a dynamic transition perspective, the purpose of this paper is to link sustainability and competitiveness of construction firms by developing a Sustainability-Competitiveness Dynamic Interaction Framework (SCDIF).

Design/methodology/approach

Conceptual theory-building approach was adopted to develop the conceptual framework. It is an iterative analysis and synthesis process, which involves reading literature, identifying commonalities and differences, synthesizing, proposing an initial framework, collecting additional literature, and revisiting and revising the framework.

Findings

There are complex interactions between sustainability and competitiveness of construction firms. This leads to uncertain relationships between sustainability and competitiveness, which is context dependent. Under evolving economic and socio-political environments, sustainability and competitiveness of construction firms could transition from mutually exclusive to mutually supportive, and finally merge into “sustainable competitiveness.”

Research limitations/implications

A SCDIF proposed in this study demonstrates that the interactions between sustainability and competitiveness evolves according to the evolving economic and socio-political environments and firms’ strategies, and thus the relationships and interactions between sustainability and competitiveness are context dependent. This framework helps corporate managers to understand how corporate sustainability and competitiveness interact with each other, thereby informing their decision-making of sustainability strategy. Similarly, the framework provides useful references for policymakers to understand the mechanisms of transitioning industries toward sustainable competitiveness.

Originality/value

The proposed framework offers a new perspective for understanding sustainability and competitiveness. From the dynamic transition perspective, this study effectively illustrates that the interactions between sustainability and competitiveness evolves according to the evolving economic and socio-political environments and firms’ strategies. Compared to existing approaches, the dynamic and holistic approach proposed in this paper provides the capacity to capture the complexity of sustainability and competitiveness.

Keywords

Citation

Chang, R.-D., Zuo, J., Soebarto, V., Zhao, Z.-Y. and Zillante, G. (2017), "Dynamic interactions between sustainability and competitiveness in construction firms: A transition perspective", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 24 No. 5, pp. 842-859. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-01-2016-0025

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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