Shaping the dual transition: Stakeholder dynamics in digital twin-using net-zero projects

Abstract

Digital Twins are becoming increasingly important in Net Zero projects, fostering a dual sustainability and digitalisation transition. Project stakeholders are key in this dual transition as they interact and co-create within the socio-technical system. Stakeholder dynamics are especially critical in construction sector, a major contributor to global carbon emissions. This study uses a multi-method approach to examine how stakeholder dynamics emerge to enable joint digitalisation and decarbonisation efforts. The study moves beyond stakeholder analysis and integrates theories from the multi-level perspective of transitions. The findings highlight the prominent role of key stakeholders such as clients/owners, government and regulators in supporting the dual transition through competitive, hybridised and symbiotic dynamics with variable disruption potential. Theoretically, the study bridges project and transitions studies by illustrating how digital twins can be strategically deployed to drive decarbonisation and support sustainability by projects. Apart from deepening the understanding of stakeholder dynamics in the dual transition the study also provides actionable insights for practitioners and policymakers in navigating emerging stakeholder constellations to enable socio-technical system change.