A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Space mining as an emerging organisational field : An institutional logics perspective




AuthorsModell, Sven

PublisherElsevier

Publication year2025

JournalSpace Policy

Journal name in sourceSpace Policy

Article number101712

ISSN0265-9646

eISSN1879-338X

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.spacepol.2025.101712

Web address https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spacepol.2025.101712

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/499493266


Abstract

Space mining, or the prospecting for and extraction of minerals and other resources from celestial bodies, has emerged as an integral part of the “New Space” economy and has been extensively debated and researched in the space literature. Responding to recent calls for management and organisation scholars to take greater interest in this economy, this paper advances a theoretical framework that conceptualises space mining as an emerging organisational field. In contrast to much prior research, which has debated what might constitute appropriate governance regimes for this field, this directs our attention to how such regimes may be institutionalised as the field continues to evolve over time. To make sense of such processes of institutionalisation, I mobilise an institutional logics perspective. Three institutional logics, centred on concerns with entrepreneurialism, sustainability and regulation, are identified. I also examine how the interplay between these logics has shaped the field of space mining to date and how they may be expected to affect future trajectories of change. I discuss the implications of my observations for future research on space mining as well as the institutional logics perspective.


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Funding information in the publication
No specific funding was provided for this research.


Last updated on 2025-26-08 at 09:38