KIC4: A Four-Dimensional Model for Industrial Symbiosis: Validation with Key Stakeholders

The traditional definitions of Industrial Symbiosis broadly describe it as a symbiotic relationship between enterprises usually operating in close geographic proximity within an industrial precinct where the reduction of waste and by-products through re-use of these materials is the goal, and is more recently described within the broader construct of Circular Economy. But there is more to a successful industrial precinct than simply the business-to-business relationships associated with these by-product material exchanges. The literature is slowly beginning to explore the presence of various forces that also have a role to play. The novelty of this research is that these forces have been explicitly identified as being a mix of four relationship-based synergies. These were identified and crystallized through a series of four sequential papers, and provisionally grouped under four headings, or dimensions; Materials Exchange, Skilled Workforce, Support Industry, and Governance. The purpose of the research was to develop a model which could be used to create a dimensional profile for any given industrial precinct. For each of these dimensions, a set of five influencing factors were identified, and collectively they were used to build a profile for a given industrial precinct. Analysis of the dimensional influencing factors was expected to deliver insights into the extent to which they may or may not be impacting the performance of the enterprise actors located within it. Respondents from four distinct groups associated with the precincts (policy makers, precinct managers, enterprise managers and representative groups) were selected for the research and were asked to characterise their precincts by rating each set of dimensional influencing factors. The major finding of the research was that the reason for the relative strength or weakness of an industrial precinct can be described under this four-dimensional framework which has been called the KIC4 Model of Industrial Symbiosis. The evidence after testing these influencing factors in various state, national and international greenfield and brownfield precincts confirmed that the data obtained showed the interrelationships and can be used to enhance the design or re-design of complex industrial precincts to equip the existing enterprises and those considering locating within them, to achieve higher levels of circularity and production efficiency.