ICT Usage in Industrial Symbiosis: Problem Identification and Study Design

Abstract

Industrial symbiosis is a favored approach to balancing industry's economic growth and its environmental impact on a regional scale. Although the scientific literature reports a multitude of examples of industrial symbiosis around the world, this approach and its related concepts are not considered to be widespread in practice, due to various barriers. Information and management barriers are seen as significant obstacles to industrial symbiosis; however, they have not been adequately investigated yet. Empirical research capturing the perception of industrial actors is lacking. This applies especially to information and communication technology designed to reduce informational barriers. Therefore, in this research-inprogress paper, we will first examine these aspects by discussing related publications. In the second step, we develop a study design involving an online questionnaire to examine the extent of managerial and informational barriers that prevent industrial symbiosis as well as the perception of corresponding technological support.

Industrial symbiosis marketplace concept for waste valorization pathways

“…A non-systematic, targeted literature search was performed to appropriately address the topic of IS, utilizing among others, papers and knowledge gained during preparation of a previously performed by our team systematic literature review [8], for the adjustment of the CE matchmaking framework for IS. For the design of level A of the framework, a set of questions targeting the stakeholders' adoption level of IS practices was developed according to identified studies employing questionnaires related to IS [2], [7], [9]- [11]. For the selection of the benchmarks used within the proposed framework, studies deliberating on matchmaking criteria were identified and further utilized in the design of levels B and C [2], [5], [6], [10], [12]- [14].…”

“…For the design of level A of the framework, a set of questions targeting the stakeholders' adoption level of IS practices was developed according to identified studies employing questionnaires related to IS [2], [7], [9]- [11]. For the selection of the benchmarks used within the proposed framework, studies deliberating on matchmaking criteria were identified and further utilized in the design of levels B and C [2], [5], [6], [10], [12]- [14].…”

Industrial symbiosis platforms for synergy identification and their most important data points: a systematic review

“…In recent years, interest in environmentally sustainable industrial and business models has increased, as society’s demand for resources has accelerated and related environmental problems (water scarcity, raw materials’ depletion and waste accumulation) have emerged. Industrial symbiosis (IS) is a sustainable, resource efficient and eco-friendly industrial waste management approach with long-term perspective ( Kosmol & Leyh, 2019 ; Lawal et al , 2021 ; Marconi et al , 2018 ). Initially, the term ‘industrial symbiosis’ referred to the physical exchange of material (waste, stock, by-product), energy, and/or water between geographically close companies.…”

“…This exchange involves a company’s output residual flow being used by another company as input flow, so both gain profit and reduce their environmental impact. Presently, IS applies to all interfirm cooperation models, consisting of either exchange or sharing of underutilized resources, utilities, infrastructure, and services in order to achieve a green, waste-free supply chain ( Fraccascia & Yazan, 2018 ; Kosmol, 2019 ; Kosmol & Leyh, 2020 ).…”

“…The facilitated approach involves third parties, referred to as intermediaries, which facilitate the initiation process by supporting the exchange of essential information and knowledge. The self-organized approach results from spontaneous collaborations between stakeholders, primarily motivated by economic incentives ( Fraccascia & Yazan, 2018 ; Kosmol & Leyh, 2019 ; Lawal et al , 2021 ; van Capelleveen et al , 2018b ). The size of an IS network varies in terms of geographic scope from local, to regional, national or international.…”