The ECOdig project addresses the transformation occurring as industries increasingly integrate digital layers within physical products and services, a shift that promises efficiency, innovation, and sustainability. However, this digitalization introduces complex challenges as organizations must adapt to new, cross-industry ecosystems that redefine competition and collaboration. The ECOdig project studies this in the context of the smart construction ecosystem, that is a collection of construction companies, their suppliers, customers, and data service and infrastructure providers. ECOdig aims to uncover how organizations’ use of digital data drive connectivity and competition, supporting both industry stakeholders and EU policy goals toward balanced and inclusive digital transformation.
Context and Motivation
Digitalization in industries, notably through “smart” technologies like IoT and AI, is seen as a critical tool for achieving the European Union's sustainable development and green transition objectives. These technologies enhance resource efficiency and foster economic growth, aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by reducing emissions and supporting industrial upgrades. Despite these benefits, the shift disrupts traditional industries, challenging the dominance of established players and prompting a need for cross-sector collaboration in business ecosystems. In this context, ECOdig investigates how organizations can use digital data strategically to engage in these ecosystems, navigating new collaborative and competitive landscapes.
Project Objectives
This research aligns with EU goals on digital and green transitions, supporting sustainable growth and strategic resilience across sectors. ECOdig’s goals are threefold:
The ECOdig project aims to advance interdisciplinary understanding of digital data as a disruptive force within cross-industry business ecosystems. By integrating insights from strategic management, organizational theory, and information systems, the project examines how digital data fundamentally alter ecosystem structures, facilitating connections across traditional industry boundaries and enabling innovative collaborations.
In addition to exploring structural shifts, ECOdig closely analyzes competitive dynamics within these multi-industry ecosystems. It investigates how organizations use digital data to develop offerings that cross industry lines, adapting to the distinct collaborative and competitive pressures within these interconnected ecosystems. This approach provides insights into how companies can successfully navigate the complex interdependencies that digital ecosystems introduce.
Furthermore, ECOdig seeks to inform regulatory and strategic policy by offering guidance on fostering fair competition in digital markets. Recognizing the risks of monopolistic dominance by large tech platforms, the project provides evidence-based recommendations for policymakers to create a balanced, competitive environment that supports diverse market participation. By focusing on equitable access and innovation, ECOdig aims to contribute to a regulatory framework that ensures sustainable growth and a fair digital economy.
Pathway to and scale of Impact
ECOdig will generate insights for academic, industrial, and policy audiences, shaping understanding and application of digital data in ecosystems. This generates economic, social, and policy impact.
The economic impact of ECOdig lies in its potential to guide businesses in leveraging digital data layers to create efficient, adaptive systems that optimize resource use and enhance operational reliability. This is aligned with the EU’s Green Deal objectives, as digital-physical integrations can significantly reduce resource consumption and carbon emissions. By promoting sustainable business models and cross-industry collaboration, ECOdig supports resilient economic growth, benefiting diverse sectors from manufacturing to digital services.
On a social level, ECOdig addresses the competitive challenges that smaller organizations face when entering digital ecosystems dominated by large platforms. By studying how digital data democratize access, ECOdig aims to foster more inclusive digital ecosystems, allowing a broader array of organizations to engage and innovate.
For policy, ECOdig supports EU regulatory goals like the Digital Markets Act by providing insights into how digital data reshape competition, informing policies that promote fair competition, protect smaller players, and foster balanced growth within Europe's evolving digital ecosystems.
