Using Transient Product Competitiveness to Elaborate Business Competition in Information-Based Economies: What We Can Learn From Construction

A new form of competition, which is called transient competition, is characterized by firms’ rapid appearance and unpredictable competitive behaviors. Most businesses struggle to maintain competitive advantages, especially amid faster erosion of their advantages. This study presents the concept of transient product competitiveness (TPC) and proposes a conceptual framework for predicting TPC based on dynamic competition theory. The framework was validated using China's 324 cases of construction business competition. The results reveal that despite a new feature of business competition, TPC comprises two conventional variables: productivity and competition intensity. The effect of productivity on TPC is positive; competition intensity exerts a moderating effect, varying between the public and private sectors. TPC and productivity are interrelated, and integrating enterprise resources and capabilities with market conditions facilitates TPC formation. These findings add integrative insights to competitive advantage. They can underpin the formulation of product competition strategies within the context of transient business competition.