Reuse innovation in construction industry: Value creation and the ecosystem

Abstract

Circular economy innovations are diversified spanning from recycling to reduction, but they all tend to change how value is created in the system. By this far, less in known how innovations stemming from reuse principle can shape value creation among the actors of circular value chains and ecosystems. Therefore, this study aims to expand our understanding on reuse innovations and their value creation in multi-actor, industrial ecosystem setting, particularly in construction sector. We conduct a comprehensive single case study – based on primary interview data, observation and secondary sources - in Finland among diversified construction companies and organizations from a nascent concrete rebuilding ecosystem within the ReCreate project (EU Horizon 2020) Our findings display the diversity of reuse innovation(s) enabling rebuilding; the actor ecosystem needed for innovative concrete rebuilding, and the business value of the concept to different ecosystem actors. The study contributes to circular economy innovation, ecosystem and circular construction research.