How to Ensure System Sustainability: Paradoxical Cognition and Adaptive Strategies for the Value Creation Process of Megaprojects
A megaproject is a complex technological-social-natural system, and its “double-edged sword” effect raises significant attention in research on system sustainability. However, prior studies often overlook the long-term characteristics of megaprojects, while paradox provides an effective lens for exp...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Systems |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/5/334 |
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| author | Faping Shui Guangyu Chen Ruoshui He Duosi Luo Xiaolong Wang |
| author_facet | Faping Shui Guangyu Chen Ruoshui He Duosi Luo Xiaolong Wang |
| author_sort | Faping Shui |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A megaproject is a complex technological-social-natural system, and its “double-edged sword” effect raises significant attention in research on system sustainability. However, prior studies often overlook the long-term characteristics of megaprojects, while paradox provides an effective lens for explaining their long-term evolution. Guided by a “context-cognition-action” analytical frame, this study employs an inductive and longitudinal case study approach to investigate the value creation process of a typical megaproject, focusing on paradoxical cognition, adaptive strategies, and core drivers of system sustainability. The findings reveal that “macro demand-tension cognition-adaptive governance” is an efficient pathway for value creation under dynamic contexts. Importantly, paradoxical cognition uncovers multi-level tensions (macro, meso, micro) in value creation, with a complex shift from a single layer to a nested structure as macro demands intensify. Correspondingly, adaptive strategies exhibit distinct logic: from reactive strategies to proactive strategies. This shift drives the evolution from the “Project–City–Environment” composite system to the “Project–City–Environment–Region” complex giant system. Furthermore, the evolution of responsibility is the core driver of system sustainability, characterized by a transition from intragenerational equity to intergenerational obligations driven by technological advancements. This study advances theoretical understanding of value creation and provides practical insights into the sustainable development of future megaprojects. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b656ccf6eb6941b2a9ea5e2297f21b8c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2079-8954 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Systems |
| spelling | doaj-art-b656ccf6eb6941b2a9ea5e2297f21b8c2025-08-20T03:48:02ZengMDPI AGSystems2079-89542025-05-0113533410.3390/systems13050334How to Ensure System Sustainability: Paradoxical Cognition and Adaptive Strategies for the Value Creation Process of MegaprojectsFaping Shui0Guangyu Chen1Ruoshui He2Duosi Luo3Xiaolong Wang4School of Economics and Management, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, ChinaSchool of Economics and Management, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, ChinaSchool of Economics and Management, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, ChinaDujiangyan Water Conservancy Development Center of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 611830, ChinaSchool of Economics and Management, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, ChinaA megaproject is a complex technological-social-natural system, and its “double-edged sword” effect raises significant attention in research on system sustainability. However, prior studies often overlook the long-term characteristics of megaprojects, while paradox provides an effective lens for explaining their long-term evolution. Guided by a “context-cognition-action” analytical frame, this study employs an inductive and longitudinal case study approach to investigate the value creation process of a typical megaproject, focusing on paradoxical cognition, adaptive strategies, and core drivers of system sustainability. The findings reveal that “macro demand-tension cognition-adaptive governance” is an efficient pathway for value creation under dynamic contexts. Importantly, paradoxical cognition uncovers multi-level tensions (macro, meso, micro) in value creation, with a complex shift from a single layer to a nested structure as macro demands intensify. Correspondingly, adaptive strategies exhibit distinct logic: from reactive strategies to proactive strategies. This shift drives the evolution from the “Project–City–Environment” composite system to the “Project–City–Environment–Region” complex giant system. Furthermore, the evolution of responsibility is the core driver of system sustainability, characterized by a transition from intragenerational equity to intergenerational obligations driven by technological advancements. This study advances theoretical understanding of value creation and provides practical insights into the sustainable development of future megaprojects.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/5/334megaprojectssustainable value creationparadox evolutionadaptive strategiessystem evolution |
| spellingShingle | Faping Shui Guangyu Chen Ruoshui He Duosi Luo Xiaolong Wang How to Ensure System Sustainability: Paradoxical Cognition and Adaptive Strategies for the Value Creation Process of Megaprojects Systems megaprojects sustainable value creation paradox evolution adaptive strategies system evolution |
| title | How to Ensure System Sustainability: Paradoxical Cognition and Adaptive Strategies for the Value Creation Process of Megaprojects |
| title_full | How to Ensure System Sustainability: Paradoxical Cognition and Adaptive Strategies for the Value Creation Process of Megaprojects |
| title_fullStr | How to Ensure System Sustainability: Paradoxical Cognition and Adaptive Strategies for the Value Creation Process of Megaprojects |
| title_full_unstemmed | How to Ensure System Sustainability: Paradoxical Cognition and Adaptive Strategies for the Value Creation Process of Megaprojects |
| title_short | How to Ensure System Sustainability: Paradoxical Cognition and Adaptive Strategies for the Value Creation Process of Megaprojects |
| title_sort | how to ensure system sustainability paradoxical cognition and adaptive strategies for the value creation process of megaprojects |
| topic | megaprojects sustainable value creation paradox evolution adaptive strategies system evolution |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/5/334 |
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