The relationship between eco-innovation and sustainability in the construction industry: Exploring knowledge networks from the perspective of ANT

Abstract

Growing awareness of the benefits of the green movement and rapidly increasing sustainable-oriented practices in the construction industry have point academicians and professionals out to eco-innovation and its application in building projects. Research interests in addressing the issues related to innovation have resulted in a great number of publications over the last two decades. Knowledge is considered as a vital ingredient in innovation. Hence, the problem addressed in this study is how knowledge networks having a heterogeneous body must be effectually managed in the firms for achieving the desired success in eco-innovation. In that context, the study attempts to indicate the relationship between the eco-innovations and sustainable construction practices and to explore knowledge networks. In the paper, firstly theoretical background related to eco-innovation is presented as a starting point of the study. Based on insights from the related literature, the determinants of eco-innovation are also detected to better understand the dynamic nature of the knowledge networks. Following that, as a research approach in the study, Actor-Network Theory (ANT) is used. To that end, in this paper, a case study is conducted for three firms that come to the forefront with their innovative activities in the construction industry in order to gain insights into the factors affecting their success in eco-innovation. The findings of this study point out that eco-innovation has positive impacts on sustainability solutions for buildings and also knowledge exchange and knowledge linkages can be seen as key issues in the field of eco-innovation towards the construction industry.