Objective of the project
The objective of the research of strategic eco-industrial networks is to
facilitate the development of new eco-industrial networks that advance
dematerialization. Specifically, the study will answer the research questions:
What forms of eco-industrial network with the potential to advance
environmental sustainability can be identified in the literature? What is the
principal operational logic and architecture of these network forms?
What kind of existing industrial networks have the potential to transform
towards strategic eco-industrial networks?
What are the drivers for the development of radically new strategic
eco-industrial networks? Where, how and by whom are they initiated?
Performance of the study
The project will be carried out between 1.4.2012 – 31.10.2014 as a part of
DemaNet project. DemaNet is part of the Tekes Green Growth technology program.
Strategic Eco-Industrial Networks – project is performed by Lappeenranta
University of Technology and University of Jyväskylä. The project started in
2012 by a systematic literature review about forms of eco-industrial networks
which have the potential to advance environmental sustainability. Then, during
2013-1014, Lappeenranta University of Technology will concentrate on potential
of existing industrial networks to transform towards strategic eco-industrial
networks and University of Jyväskylä will study the development of radically
new strategic eco-industrial networks.
Outcomes of the project
The study creates new knowledge about the forms of eco-industrial networks in
advancing environmental sustainability by integrating insights from the
literature streams of industrial networks, industrial symbiosis, and
interorganizational research. The study also increases the understanding about
the development of strategic eco-industrial networks by identifying
opportunities and modes to develop existing networks towards more sustainable
and the potential for create radically new strategic eco-industrial networks
to advance dematerialization and increase competitiveness.
More information
Anne Jalkala, Lappeenranta University of Technology
anne.jalkala (at)
lut.fi, tel. +358 40 128 2884
Hanna-Leena Pesonen, University of Jyväskylä
hanna-leena.pesonen
(at) jyu.fi; tel. +358 50 373 2132
