Industrial Symbiosis Dynamics and the Problem of Equivalence: Proposal for a Comparative Framework

Abstract

Industrial symbiosis (IS), one of the founding notions within the field of industrial ecology, has diffused throughout significant parts of the world as a practice that can reduce the ecological impact of the industrial processes of groups of firms. In this article, we propose a fresh look at this research topic, building on the considerable advances that have been made in the last 15 years in understanding how IS comes about. We propose a conceptual and theoretical framework for taking on the challenge of comparative analysis at a global level. This requires developing an approach to address a solution to the problem of equivalence: the difficulty of comparing instances of IS across different institutional contexts. The proposed framework emphasizes IS as a process and attempts to address the obstacles to comparative study by (1) identifying terminology to examine IS variants, (2) providing a typology of IS dynamics, and (3) formulating key research questions to illuminate a way forward. In developing our argument, we build on the collective experiences of collaborative research efforts in North America, Europe, and Asia as evidenced in recent overviews of the literature. Note:The PLUS sign indicates the name of the core organization and that others from the same region or category also participated on the named team, as appropriate. Names of team leaders appear in bold.

Developing and Understanding Design Interventions in Relation to Industrial Symbiosis Dynamics

“…Table 1. Context, Interventions, Mechanisms, and Outcomes (CIMO) explained, inspired by Denyer et al [25], Boons et al [23], and Holmström [36].…”

“…In addition, inspired by the work of Boons et al [23] and Zhu and Ruth [46], IS dynamics typologies will be used to propose initial states and rules in model agent behaviour. This results in:…”

“…The emerging mechanisms will take the form of typologies, as described by Boons et al [23] and can be evaluated in terms of series of events. During the participatory modelling of the system, the stakeholders can steer the intervention between facilitation and self-organisation or governmental planning.…”

“…This accelerates model development in future cases. In order to develop a generic ABM, we will start with a conceptual framework, as presented in this article, and we will use the presented typologies (from Boons et al [23]) as initial state. Based on the modelling and simulation outcomes, and the practical application of the generic tool to our SUAN case study and other case studies, we will come up with more precise insights on IS dynamics.…”

Industrial Symbiosis, Networking and Innovation: The Potential Role of Innovation Poles

“…Industrial Symbiosis: IS networks are considered as "complex adaptive systems", which can arise in different ways and evolve over time using their resilience [3,[33][34][35]]. An IS may incorporate different solutions (e.g., synergies within supply chains, synergies from shared use of utilities, synergies from local use of by-products, energy, or wastes); it may rely on new or existing entities and may evolve in a planned, facilitated, or spontaneous way [6].…”