Interorganisational cooperation for sustainable management in industry: on industrial recycling networks and sustainability networks

Industry plays a key role in the sustainable development of society. In this paper, the idea of sustainable resource management and circular economy will be discussed. On this basis, the concept of industrial recycling networks will be presented as a way of inter-organisational collaboration for recycling of by-products which not only helps reduce negative environmental impact of industry, but also leads to lower costs of raw material and waste disposal. Further, it will be discussed to what degree these recycling networks can be used as starting point for more comprehensive cooperation towards sustainable development. Here, the term sustainability network will be introduced. Finally, the management of such a sustainability network will be subject for discussion. It will be stated that an adequate management will be helpful for initiating such cooperation between stakeholders and promoting cooperative activity within the sustainability network over time.