Yannis Mouzakitis_Doctoral_Thesis.pdf - Nemertes - Πανεπιστήμιο ...

Abstract
Abstract
This thesis concerns the systemic interventions required for the
development, maintenance and diffusion of industrial ecosystems managed as
technological niches under the prism of the socio-technical approach. Towards this
end, it is an innovative effort that concentrates on the issues emerged and on the
interventions required in the transistion towards a novel eco-industrial technological
regime. The main contribution of the research reported is the development οf
theoretical constructs, as well as a normative framework for the transition process
towards an eco-industrial paradigm. Methodologically, the analysis was based on a
secondary research approach and application of theoretical tools from the
disciplines of Systems Science and Science and Technology Studies.
Initially, the industrial ecosystem was considered as a system and was
analysed through fundamental systems concepts. Following, it was approached as an
organization, and the associated problems of its transition process were analyzed.
Finally, towards a more synthetic view, industrial ecosystems were considered as the
constituent parts of a novel socio-technical regime of productions systems. The
transition towards such an eco-industrial regime was analyzed through systemic
interventions in technological niches by reference to existing industrial ecosystems.
The thesis proposes explanatory and prescriptive frameworks for the design
of the necessary interventions. At a micro level, the frameworks developed can be
applied to the management and further development of existing industrial
ecosystems, while at a macro level, they can be used by policy makers in the
development of strategies aiming at the diffusion of the eco-industrial paradigm.