Analysis of operations research methods for decision problems in the industrial symbiosis: a literature review

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Oct;29(47):70658-70673. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-22507-w. Epub 2022 Aug 25.

Abstract

Industrial symbiosis (IS) is an approach that aims to use resources efficiently by cooperating between independent enterprises in raw materials, energy, and similar sectors. As a result of cooperation, businesses gain economic, environmental, and social benefits. Especially in recent years, IS applications have become widespread due to the problems experienced in the supply of resources. The presence of more than one enterprise in cooperation creates a complex network structure in IS applications. In this complex system, many decision problems are encountered in establishing and effectively maintaining the industrial symbiosis network. Operations research techniques are at the forefront of the methods used to solve decision problems. This study examined studies using operations research techniques in industrial symbiosis. Studies were divided into four classes according to the methods they used: exact methods, heuristic methods, multi-criteria decision-making, and simulation. In the literature review, the studies in the Web of Science (WOS) database are systematically presented by scanning with the determined keywords. As a result of the study, it was analyzed which method was preferred and where the methods could be applied in industrial symbiosis.

Keywords: Decision-making; Industrial symbiosis; Operations research.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Industry
  • Operations Research*
  • Symbiosis*