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Social, Economic, and Institutional Configurations of the Industrial Symbiosis Process: A Comparative Analysis of the Literature and a Proposed Theoretical and Analytical Framework

1
Sustainable Development Center, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
2
Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
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Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editor: Paolo Rosa
Sustainability 2021, 13(13), 7123; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137123
Received: 22 May 2021 / Revised: 11 June 2021 / Accepted: 11 June 2021 / Published: 25 June 2021
(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)
This paper aims at comparatively analyzing the IS process in three remarkable empirical cases. Ostrom’s Institutional Analysis and Development framework and its categories for analysis are used to understand each process. A theoretical and analytical framework is proposed based on a survey of contextual elements that shaped the behavior of organizations towards Industrial Symbiosis practices. The results show that although there was no clear, linear order in which the actors developed symbiotic relationships, the decisions related to Industrial Symbiosis are shaped by a similar set of variables. These variables range from technical and economic aspects, such as the diversity of industries and the viability of exchanges, to social and institutional aspects, encompassing critical environmental issues; bilateral agreements; collective engagement; trust to build cooperative relationships; communication and information sharing strategies; integrated regulatory framework at three levels; congruence between government and company actions to create a cooperative environment; and governance structures involving local government, companies, research and development institutions, and a coordinating entity or the champion. This framework may serve as a reference for diagnostic analyses assessing aspects that can be improved wherein Industrial Symbiosis is already underway. It may also be useful in prescriptive analyses assessing the potential for implementing IS. View Full-Text
Keywords: industrial ecosystems; industrial symbiosis; industrial ecology; circular economy; ostrom’s institutional analysis and development framework; Kalundborg; Ulsan; Kwinana industrial ecosystems; industrial symbiosis; industrial ecology; circular economy; ostrom’s institutional analysis and development framework; Kalundborg; Ulsan; Kwinana
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MDPI and ACS Style

Faria, E.; Caldeira-Pires, A.; Barreto, C. Social, Economic, and Institutional Configurations of the Industrial Symbiosis Process: A Comparative Analysis of the Literature and a Proposed Theoretical and Analytical Framework. Sustainability 2021, 13, 7123. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137123

AMA Style

Faria E, Caldeira-Pires A, Barreto C. Social, Economic, and Institutional Configurations of the Industrial Symbiosis Process: A Comparative Analysis of the Literature and a Proposed Theoretical and Analytical Framework. Sustainability. 2021; 13(13):7123. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137123

Chicago/Turabian Style

Faria, Emilia, Armando Caldeira-Pires, and Cristiane Barreto. 2021. "Social, Economic, and Institutional Configurations of the Industrial Symbiosis Process: A Comparative Analysis of the Literature and a Proposed Theoretical and Analytical Framework" Sustainability 13, no. 13: 7123. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137123

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