Insights of Digital Transformation Processes in Industrial Symbiosis from the Viable Systems Approach (vSa)

The main purpose of this contribution is twofold: from a scientific point of view, to interpret the symbiotic logic through the framework of the Viable Systems approach (vSa), and from a managerial viewpoint, to provide the actors of industrial symbiosis initiatives, at any stage of their life cycle, with a guide to the most promising web-based solutions in terms of defining the best configuration for the symbiotic network. The article, therefore, aims to provide an in-depth study of the existing literature, which is still not exhaustive, and to consider synoptically and comparatively the modern platforms capable of supporting industrial symbiosis initiatives. The objective was pursued by examining 10 existing and functioning Web-based platforms, of which only a few were previously explored in the previous literature, while the recognition of the latter was carried out on a bibliometric basis to articulate in more detail the existing gap based on a panel of contributions as large as possible. The joint consideration of the literature review and the examination of the existing and functioning platforms shows an articulated framework of approaches, proposed models, and classification schemes of their functions, which allows us to conclude that given the sectoral, territorial, and specific characteristics of the materials addressed by each platform and considering the different cycles existing in eco-industrial parks (water, energy, by-products, etc.), the most promising way for their implementation is to consider multiple platforms to fully exploit the contribution of each of them. As for the management implications, the suggestion is to integrate the results obtained from the different platforms and to evaluate the configurational alternatives with multi-criteria procedures.

Online Social Network Viability: Misinformation Management Based on Service and Systems Theories

This paper provides a practical example of how service and systems theories can be successfully integrated to develop a comprehensive analysis and theorization of solutions for a specific issue, that is, misinformation management in online social network sites (OSNs). A literature review and elaboration of different theories (service science, service-dominant logic, viable systems approach) and approaches (collective intelligence and collective knowledge systems, group decision making) specifically related to ONS is developed and presented in the form of propositions and constructs. It results that the issue of misinformation in OSNs can be analyzed as a threat to service (eco) system viability, while technological solutions, engagement and the participation of communities by means of collective knowledge systems should be adopted as strategies to align with relevant supra-systems to survive. The originality of the paper relies on the following: (i) expanding service research analysis horizons to OSNs; (ii) providing a practical example of how Service Science, Service-Dominant Logic and Viable Systems Approach perspectives can be integrated to theorize and practically find ways to re-shape contexts, such as OSN misinformation management; and (iii) presenting a multidisciplinary conceptual model to the OSN literature, based on service systems and service ecosystems, linking theory to practice.

A New Systems Perspective in Retail Service Marketing

The aim of this chapter is to highlight the necessity of a change in perspective and a new approach to Retail Service Marketing by addressing the recent challenges posed by a radical rethinking of market exchange logic using a service view. Recent Service Marketing advances are analyzed, which lead to the Service Dominant Logic proposal to take a general service view of market exchange, envisaging an emerging paradigm change. However, the key to this potential paradigm change is not yet well focused. A gap in the theoretical approach emerges that can be closed by adopting the Viable Systems Approach and the structure-system interpretation scheme. Their implications for retailing are discussed, and the key to change is emphasized. This chapter introduces a new theoretical and conceptual framework rooted in systems thinking, which recommends a Service Systems Approach to Retail Marketing.