Main Features of the Timber Structure Building Industry Business Models
The use of timber as structural building material is growing and a greater number of firms are looking to enter this raising market. Erecting a complex timber building usually involves combining the work of architects, structural engineers, builders, suppliers and/or supplier–builders, all of them h...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-04-01
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| Series: | Buildings |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/11/4/170 |
| _version_ | 1797537445083873280 |
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| author | Annie Gosselin Yan Cimon Nadia Lehoux Pierre Blanchet |
| author_facet | Annie Gosselin Yan Cimon Nadia Lehoux Pierre Blanchet |
| author_sort | Annie Gosselin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The use of timber as structural building material is growing and a greater number of firms are looking to enter this raising market. Erecting a complex timber building usually involves combining the work of architects, structural engineers, builders, suppliers and/or supplier–builders, all of them having their own business models. The purpose of this research was to uncover the specific nature of business models in the timber structure building industry. First, a thorough mapping of these business models was undertaken. Second, underlying patterns were uncovered within these models. A triangulation method of secondary data, semi-structured interviews and participant observation was used to allow for an in-depth study of 23 stakeholder business models. The analysis shows that knowledge sharing appears as crucial and may be achieved through sustained collaboration. As a result, collaborative contract procurement modes seem to be the most appropriate for timber construction. Tight relationships with suppliers and supplier–builders also appear as prerequisites. Furthermore, stakeholder partnerships with universities appear common in the field, while prefabrication is increasing in popularity. These findings can be useful to grasp the prevailing business models in this industry given the sustained growth of the timber structure building market. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:15:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-42ca705472e046f8b344b291b64bcbae |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:15:15Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj.art-42ca705472e046f8b344b291b64bcbae2023-11-21T15:52:26ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092021-04-0111417010.3390/buildings11040170Main Features of the Timber Structure Building Industry Business ModelsAnnie Gosselin0Yan Cimon1Nadia Lehoux2Pierre Blanchet3NSERC Industrial Chair on Ecoresponsible Wood Construction—CIRCERB, Laval University, 2425, Rue de la Terrasse, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, CanadaInteruniversity Research Center on Enterprise Networks, Logistics and Transportation—CIRRELT, Department of Management, Administration Sciences Faculty, Laval University, 2325, Rue de la Terrasse, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, CanadaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering and Sciences Faculty, Laval University, Av. de la Médecine, Bureau 1504, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, CanadaNSERC Industrial Chair on Ecoresponsible Wood Construction—CIRCERB, Laval University, 2425, Rue de la Terrasse, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, CanadaThe use of timber as structural building material is growing and a greater number of firms are looking to enter this raising market. Erecting a complex timber building usually involves combining the work of architects, structural engineers, builders, suppliers and/or supplier–builders, all of them having their own business models. The purpose of this research was to uncover the specific nature of business models in the timber structure building industry. First, a thorough mapping of these business models was undertaken. Second, underlying patterns were uncovered within these models. A triangulation method of secondary data, semi-structured interviews and participant observation was used to allow for an in-depth study of 23 stakeholder business models. The analysis shows that knowledge sharing appears as crucial and may be achieved through sustained collaboration. As a result, collaborative contract procurement modes seem to be the most appropriate for timber construction. Tight relationships with suppliers and supplier–builders also appear as prerequisites. Furthermore, stakeholder partnerships with universities appear common in the field, while prefabrication is increasing in popularity. These findings can be useful to grasp the prevailing business models in this industry given the sustained growth of the timber structure building market.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/11/4/170timber buildingbusiness modelscollaborationbuilding design |
| spellingShingle | Annie Gosselin Yan Cimon Nadia Lehoux Pierre Blanchet Main Features of the Timber Structure Building Industry Business Models Buildings timber building business models collaboration building design |
| title | Main Features of the Timber Structure Building Industry Business Models |
| title_full | Main Features of the Timber Structure Building Industry Business Models |
| title_fullStr | Main Features of the Timber Structure Building Industry Business Models |
| title_full_unstemmed | Main Features of the Timber Structure Building Industry Business Models |
| title_short | Main Features of the Timber Structure Building Industry Business Models |
| title_sort | main features of the timber structure building industry business models |
| topic | timber building business models collaboration building design |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/11/4/170 |
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