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The inter-firm network before, during, and after the NISP workshop

The inter-firm network before, during, and after the NISP workshop

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In this paper, we are interested in industrial and territorial ecology (ITE), whose aim is to optimize the management of material and energy flows between local economic players by drawing inspiration from the cyclical nature of natural ecosystems. The organizational elements, specifically the forms of coordination between actors, appear to be cent...

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... Among the determinants of CE adoption discussed by the literature, we can identify those related to consumers' acceptance to adopt new behaviours, the available subsidies and support from the government, an adapted legal framework, appropriate infrastructure and supply chain problems, technical expertise held by companies, and firms' managerial risk aversion (De Jesus & Mendonça, 2018). Besides, given that CE is inherently a collaborative system Korhonen et al., 2018a), the organised and geographical proximity of firms could ease the adoption of circular processes by facilitating the flows of resource exchanges, both material and immaterial, between firms (Cerceau et al., 2018;Jambou et al., 2022). Proximity between stakeholders should be favourable to a more rapid adoption of new CE practices. ...
... Third, the role of organised proximity remains largely unexplored (with the exception of Niang et al., 2022), despite its importance in the context of CE. A better understanding of the capacity of the firm to arrange collaborative activity and foster a shared set of knowledge, beliefs and representations (Torre, 2011(Torre, , 2014 is essential in this new economic model, which requires interactions between individuals and firms with different strategies, visions, conflicts and cooperation in the networks they have developed (Jambou et al., 2022). ...
... For example, Chertow (2007) describes the conditions for the implementation of industrial symbiosis, of which the collaborative dimension between actors and the 'local' dimension of relations is one important factor. In the same way, Jambou et al. (2022) highlight the role of coordination between actors, especially intermediary actors (public authorities) in the success of industrial ecology (IE) processes, while Prosman et al. (2017) show the importance of external coordinators. Cerceau et al. (2018) question the territorial embeddedness of resource management through the specific approach of IE, and reveal the importance of local resources in the implementation of IE projects. ...
... The active governance provided by this intermediary helps identify synergistic opportunities, resolve logistical challenges, and overcome regulatory or economic obstacles. Through organizing forums, workshops, and regular meetings, the territorial intermediary ensures that all stakeholders are informed, committed, and motivated to participate in this circular dynamic (Jambou et al., 2022). ...
... The virtuous nature of such projects relies on the effective use of local resources, as they limit their transport and, therefore, the carbon footprint of production while guaranteeing local employment (Bourdin et al., 2021). However, a critical factor for such projects is the ability of stakeholders to collaborate, underpinned by both geographical closeness and structured relationships (Bolger & Doyon, 2019;Jambou et al., 2022;Jesus & Jugend, 2023;Arfaoui et al., 2023). ...
... We conduct two local CE experiments in the Kamouraska region (Quebec, Canada) and at the Grand Port Maritime de La Rochelle (France) using 70 semi-structured interviews and an analysis of project documents. We explore this CE territorialisation through the theoretical framework of the economics of proximity (Torre & Rallet, 2005;Torre & Gallaud, 2022), which enables us to analyse the mechanisms and strategies for mobilising territorial resources in the CE context (Beaurain & Dermine-Brullot, 2022;Jambou et al., 2022;Lenglet & Peyrache-Gadeau, 2020). ...
... Some studies have shown that local know-how and skills in resource management, recycling, repair and remanufacturing, among others, are essential for implementing CE (Lenglet & Peyrache-Gadeau, 2020;Chembessi et al., 2021a). Intangible resources also include local networks of citizens, businesses and organisations that can facilitate the implementation of CE by encouraging collaboration, the sharing of information and resources and the coordination of efforts (Christensen, 2021;Niang et al., 2022;Jambou et al., 2022), or at least facilitate its installation and avoid excessive sudden releases. These intangible resources are of great interest because they enable stakeholders to develop territorial innovations and produce essential local expertise conducive to the development of CE (Chembessi et al., 2021a;Veyssière et al., 2021). ...
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... Industrial ecology stands out as the preferred solution for optimising the flows and stocks of materials and energy on these sites, presented by their defenders as industrial symbioses (Schieb et al., 2015). However, it is useful to question territorial integration and restraint in terms of the use of resources of this type of circular economy model (Jambou et al., 2022;Giampietro, 2019;Korhonen et al., 2018). The energy farming model is similar to biobased carbon farming by targeting low sustainability and energy transition objectives. ...
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... CE experiments rely on the mobilization of various external or internal capacities and resources of the stakeholders (Hobson, 2019;Jambou et al., 2022), which may be either tangible or intangible (Gumbau-Albert & Maudos, 2022). Several studies have focused on tangible resources (metals, ores, biomass, water, infrastructure, equipment, organic or inorganic waste, etc.) (Bahers & Durand, 2020). ...
... They include know-how and skills in resource management, recycling, repair, remanufacturing, etc. (Chembessi et al., 2021;Lenglet & Peyrache-Gadeau, 2020), as well as citizens, businesses, organizations, cultures, values, etc. . The potential mobilization of these resources depends on the ability of CE stakeholders to coordinate with one another (Jambou et al., 2022;Jesus & Jugend, 2023). The mobilization of these intangible resources underlines the question of a mutual learning and knowledge management process between stakeholders in transition experiments (Luederitz et al., 2017;Plummer & Poeck, 2021). ...
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Research has demonstrated the importance of learning and knowledge management in transition experiments. In this perspective, this paper explores how researchers can underline the role of learning and knowledge management in the transition to circular economy (CE). Drawing on research on the concepts of CE and intellectual capital, as well as field observations in CE experiments in the regional county municipality (RCM) of Kamouraska (Quebec), we identify at least three fundamental research perspectives on learning and knowledge management in the transition to CE. The first concerns the types of learning and knowledge that emerge in CE implementation. The second focuses on the learning and knowledge management process. It concerns the trial-and-error dynamics that facilitate mutual learning and effective knowledge management. The third research perspective consists of assessing how learning and knowledge management at the local level fosters a macro-societal transition to CE.
... Inter-firm collaboration is described as a practice in which different firms collaborate formally or informally and make joint policies that affect all parties (Cambra-Fierro et al., 2011;Jambou et al., 2022). The phenomenon of inter-firm collaboration is not new (Vatne & Taylor, 2018). ...
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This study aims to encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to collaborate to enhance export rate. It investigates the influence of inter-firm collaboration on industry export performance and how this relationship is mediated by firm export performance in SMEs of Pakistan. Data was gathered using a quantitative technique based on questionnaires distributed among 491 owners and employees of the SMEs involved in exports. Data were analyzed using AMOS to determine the relationship among variables; firm export performance, inter-firm collaboration and industry export performance. Mediation analysis was tested using Baron and Kenny’s procedure. Results revealed that inter-firm collaboration is an important factor in enhancing industry export performance and this relationship is significantly mediated by firm export performance. Industry export performance is an essential element for SMEs survival and growth. The study contributes theoretically and empirically by analyzing the role of interfirm collaboration in economic development and provides important implications for owners, managers, policymakers of SMEs, and export-related government agencies on improving cooperation.
... At the local level, CE is increasingly supported by public funding (da Silva, 2018;Kębłowski et al., 2020) and mobilises numerous stakeholders in territorial development (Bourdin and Nadou, 2021;Jambou et al., 2021). For local authorities, it is increasingly being regarded as a strategic objective because it allows for (i) improving productivity and resource efficiency, (ii) enhancing local growth potential, (iii) implementing all types of innovations and (iv) creating new activities that provide jobs and wealth (Stahel, 2016;Repp et al., 2020;Bourdin and Torre, 2020). ...
... Kębłowski et al. (2020) explain that many cities are in the process of proposing agendas for deploying CE to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Cerceau et al. (2018) and Jambou et al. (2021) point out that an increasing number of local authorities are deploying industrial and territorial ecology approaches to foster the implementation of CE at the local level. ...
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... Or, elle s'avère absente des diverses définitions de l'économie circulaire et reste essentiellement sous-jacente (Niang et al., 2020: Bourdin et Maillefert, 2021. Pourtant, dans la pratique, cette dernière s'appuie bien souvent sur les avantages relatifs à la proximité géographique de différentes activités et acteurs pour permettre la réutilisation de déchets et échanger des flux de matières par des coopérations inter-entreprises (Jambou et al., 2021). Et cette proximité géographique est d'autant plus importante qu'elle limite l'impact environnemental. ...
... On observe également que la localisation des établissements circulaires a quasiment évolué dans la même proportion que celle des emplois, confirmant les disparités entre les moitiés sud et nord du pays dans la croissance des activités circulaires (figure 3). Ceci semble induire une proximité géographique d'activités économiques ; cette proximité étant favorable à l'apparition de bassins de main-d'oeuvre locale ancrée autour des questions d'économie circulaire (Doré, 2021), notamment via la mise en oeuvre de synergies interentreprises (Jambou et al., 2021 Cependant, tous les secteurs de l'économie circulaire ne présentent pas le même niveau de concentration spatiale, en particulier en ce qui concerne les activités de recyclage et valorisation des déchets. Ceci peut s'expliquer par le fait que chaque communauté de communes (ou équivalent) dispose de la compétence liée au traitement des déchets, ce qui induit plutôt une dispersion spatiale, et que cette activité se développe également en zones rurales par la mise en place des activités de méthanisation (Niang et al., 2021). ...
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... The analyses of Jambou et al. (2022) focus on industrial and territorial ecology. In particular, the authors evaluate the possibility of creating virtuous inter-firm cooperation in terms of synergies. ...
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