Introduction: 

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) has been recognized as a low-carbon alternative in construction. However, realizing its full potential requires systemic innovation that extends beyond individual projects. Such innovation can be organized through inter-firm collaborations, such as innovation ecosystems which enable co-innovation across multiple building projects.

Methods: 

A longitudinal case study was conducted to examine the development of the organizing of an IE in CLT-based construction over 13 years. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews, observations, and documents were compiled into a visual map of events and synthesized through temporal bracketing to delineate IE lifecycle phases.

Results: 

Four IE lifecycle phases were identified: birth, expansion, leadership, and transformation. In the early stages, actors shared resources and investment risks through collaborative arrangements and innovative project contracts. As the IE matured, the focus shifted toward tighter organizational control and consolidation through vertical integration of suppliers.

Discussion: 

The study contributes to IE lifecycle theory by showing how IEs evolve through distinct organizing configurations over time and may gradually transform into partially vertically integrated supply-chain structures as technologies and value propositions mature. Methodologically, the study demonstrates how temporal bracketing can be applied to longitudinal IE research to identify shifts in co-innovation, value creation, and organizing across different lifecycle phases. Practically and from a policy perspective, the findings highlight how structured inter-firm collaboration, innovative project contracts, and supportive policy conditions can facilitate risk-mitigated co-innovation and the systemic development of CLT-based construction solutions.