Abstract
The main purpose of this contribution is twofold: from a scientific point of view, to interpret the symbiotic logic through the framework of the Viable Systems approach (vSa), and from a managerial viewpoint, to provide the actors of industrial symbiosis initiatives, at any stage of their life cycle, with a guide to the most promising web-based solutions in terms of defining the best configuration for the symbiotic network. The article, therefore, aims to provide an in-depth study of the existing literature, which is still not exhaustive, and to consider synoptically and comparatively the modern platforms capable of supporting industrial symbiosis initiatives. The objective was pursued by examining 10 existing and functioning Web-based platforms, of which only a few were previously explored in the previous literature, while the recognition of the latter was carried out on a bibliometric basis to articulate in more detail the existing gap based on a panel of contributions as large as possible. The joint consideration of the literature review and the examination of the existing and functioning platforms shows an articulated framework of approaches, proposed models, and classification schemes of their functions, which allows us to conclude that given the sectoral, territorial, and specific characteristics of the materials addressed by each platform and considering the different cycles existing in eco-industrial parks (water, energy, by-products, etc.), the most promising way for their implementation is to consider multiple platforms to fully exploit the contribution of each of them. As for the management implications, the suggestion is to integrate the results obtained from the different platforms and to evaluate the configurational alternatives with multi-criteria procedures.
Highlights
Under the pressure of government policies and public opinion towards green transitions and the digitalization of industrial activities, increasing attention is being paid, both in practice and in the scientific literature, to industrial symbiosis [1]
Many other definitions have been proposed both in the scientific area of industrial ecology and in that of the circular economy, the most cited of which are from Chertow [4], Chertow and Lombardi [5], and Mirata and Pearce [6]
Social relations constitute the substrate for industrial symbiosis, as reflected in the definition of Jensen et al [10], for which “close working agreements underlying the innovative reuse, recycling, or sharing of resources leads to resource efficiency”; by Alkaya et al [11], which highlights “long term partnership and work in solidarity”; and by Lombardi and Laybourn [12], which emphasizes the importance of “sharing knowledge”
Summary
Under the pressure of government policies and public opinion towards green transitions and the digitalization of industrial activities, increasing attention is being paid, both in practice and in the scientific literature, to industrial symbiosis [1]. The Wb-platforms of the most recent conception complement the traditional functions of opportunity identification by the means of databases aimed to facilitate the meeting of supply and demand, of waste, with tools able to simulate network configurations and simultaneously assess the environmental, economic, and efficiency performance of complex, digitalized production systems aligned with the Industry 4.0 paradigm. In this regard, Grant et al [18] articulate the complex of modern Wb-platform functions in opportunity identification, opportunity assessment, barrier removal, commercialization, and adaptive management, documentation, review, and publication.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
