C. Oughton (2024)
This research extends industrial ecology into a multi-dimensional IS framework. The KIC4 model assesses industrial precincts across four dimensions: material exchanges, skilled workforce, support industries and governance structures. Applied to nine sites, it shows that high-performing precincts excel across these dimensions and identifies enabling and constraining factors for circular industrial ecosystems.
Industrial Symbiosis and Circular Economy: Assessing Environmental and Economic Impacts
This study examines the contribution of industrial symbiosis to the advancement of circular economy practices, with a focus on its environmental and economic impacts. It analyzes how the exchange of materials, energy, water, and by-products among industries can reduce waste generation, lower resource consumption, and improve overall system efficiency. The research combines theoretical insights with case-based evidence to evaluate the benefits and limitations of implementing symbiotic networks in different industrial contexts. It highlights key success factors, including collaboration, technological compatibility, and supportive policy environments, as well as barriers such as information gaps, regulatory constraints, and coordination challenges. The findings suggest that industrial symbiosis can play a significant role in enhancing sustainability performance, while requiring integrated approaches and stakeholder engagement to be effectively scaled.