| Julkaisun nimi | Private intermediaries in multi-system coupling: Wood construction in Norway and Finland |
| Kirjoittajat | Ingeborgrud, L., Lukkarinen, J. & Toivanen, R. |
| Julkaisija | Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions |
| ISBN/DOI | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2026.101126 |
| Julkaisupäivä | 17.3.2026 |
Abstract
Multi-system coupling has become a key concern in sustainability transitions of incumbent systems. This article provides an actor-based analysis of private wood construction intermediaries in coupling the forest and construction systems in Norway and Finland. We adopt an ecologies of intermediation perspective on systemic intermediation orientations and functions and intermediary activities. The qualitative case study focuses on four private intermediaries identified as central actors in the ecologies of intermediation. The intermediaries in both countries emerge from the forest system, operating as closed membership-based organisations or open networking organisations. The intermediaries actively utilise the wider ecologies of actors to establish structural and functional couplings of systems. We distinguish between two distinct coupling approaches (incremental and disruptive) in the system coupling, and these impact the organisation of innovation activities for wood construction. We conclude that intermediaries lack the capacity for a coupling approach for disruptive change without strong institutional landscape pressure.
