An appraisal of virtual networks in the environmental sector
Identifieur interne : 001A60 ( Istex/Corpus ); précédent : 001A59; suivant : 001A61An appraisal of virtual networks in the environmental sector
Auteurs : Klaus Helling ; Markus Blim ; Bernadette O'ReganSource :
- Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal [ 1477-7835 ] ; 2005-08-01.
Abstract
Purpose To provide information to practitioners and researchers on how virtual networks can enhance the cooperation between organisations to help find sustainable solutions for complex environmental problems. Designmethodologyapproach Along with the derivation of a theoretical classification of virtual networks, practical examples of material flow management MFM are described. The analysis of best practice is conducted to present actual developments along with virtual forms of cooperation within the environmental community. Findings The practical success of virtual networks in the environmental sector shows the direction of the future development. By using internetbased information and communication tools, virtual networks are not limited by national borders and are able to enhance the cooperation of organisations in a global way. This means that virtual networks are essential instruments in developing complex solutions in the face of the global environmental challenge. Research limitationsimplications The case studies described are exclusively German in origin, as MFM is a recognised and widely implemented tool for sustainability in Germany. Practical implications This paper provides practical information to practitioners and researchers on successful virtual forms of cooperation within the environmental sector and clearly identifies the value in maintaining virtual networks. Originalityvalue The information, and details of case studies, outlined in this paper provide useful advice to organisations seeking information regarding the success of virtual networks within the environmental sector.
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DOI: 10.1108/14777830510601208
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<record><TEI wicri:istexFullTextTei="biblStruct"><teiHeader><fileDesc><titleStmt><title xml:lang="en">An appraisal of virtual networks in the environmental sector</title><author><name sortKey="Helling, Klaus" sort="Helling, Klaus" uniqKey="Helling K" first="Klaus" last="Helling">Klaus Helling</name><affiliation><mods:affiliation>Institute for Applied Material Flow Management, Environmental Campus Birkenfeld, Trier University of Applied Sciences, Birkenfeld, Germany</mods:affiliation></affiliation></author><author><name sortKey="Blim, Markus" sort="Blim, Markus" uniqKey="Blim M" first="Markus" last="Blim">Markus Blim</name><affiliation><mods:affiliation>Institute for Applied Material Flow Management, Environmental Campus Birkenfeld, Trier University of Applied Sciences, Birkenfeld, Germany</mods:affiliation></affiliation></author><author><name sortKey="O Regan, Bernadette" sort="O Regan, Bernadette" uniqKey="O Regan B" first="Bernadette" last="O'Regan">Bernadette O'Regan</name><affiliation><mods:affiliation>Centre for Environmental Research, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland</mods:affiliation></affiliation></author></titleStmt><publicationStmt><idno type="wicri:source">ISTEX</idno><idno type="RBID">ISTEX:698C444713E47FE62887A9A4933DD14AA48A6FDE</idno><date when="2005" year="2005">2005</date><idno type="doi">10.1108/14777830510601208</idno><idno type="url">https://api.istex.fr/document/698C444713E47FE62887A9A4933DD14AA48A6FDE/fulltext/pdf</idno><idno type="wicri:Area/Istex/Corpus">001A60</idno><idno type="wicri:explorRef" wicri:stream="Istex" wicri:step="Corpus" wicri:corpus="ISTEX">001A60</idno></publicationStmt><sourceDesc><biblStruct><analytic><title level="a" type="main" xml:lang="en">An appraisal of virtual networks in the environmental sector</title><author><name sortKey="Helling, Klaus" sort="Helling, Klaus" uniqKey="Helling K" first="Klaus" last="Helling">Klaus Helling</name><affiliation><mods:affiliation>Institute for Applied Material Flow Management, Environmental Campus Birkenfeld, Trier University of Applied Sciences, Birkenfeld, Germany</mods:affiliation></affiliation></author><author><name sortKey="Blim, Markus" sort="Blim, Markus" uniqKey="Blim M" first="Markus" last="Blim">Markus Blim</name><affiliation><mods:affiliation>Institute for Applied Material Flow Management, Environmental Campus Birkenfeld, Trier University of Applied Sciences, Birkenfeld, Germany</mods:affiliation></affiliation></author><author><name sortKey="O Regan, Bernadette" sort="O Regan, Bernadette" uniqKey="O Regan B" first="Bernadette" last="O'Regan">Bernadette O'Regan</name><affiliation><mods:affiliation>Centre for Environmental Research, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland</mods:affiliation></affiliation></author></analytic><monogr></monogr><series><title level="j">Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal</title><idno type="ISSN">1477-7835</idno><imprint><publisher>Emerald Group Publishing Limited</publisher><date type="published" when="2005-08-01">2005-08-01</date><biblScope unit="volume">16</biblScope><biblScope unit="issue">4</biblScope><biblScope unit="page" from="327">327</biblScope><biblScope unit="page" to="337">337</biblScope></imprint><idno type="ISSN">1477-7835</idno></series><idno type="istex">698C444713E47FE62887A9A4933DD14AA48A6FDE</idno><idno type="DOI">10.1108/14777830510601208</idno><idno type="filenameID">0830160404</idno><idno type="original-pdf">0830160404.pdf</idno><idno type="href">14777830510601208.pdf</idno></biblStruct></sourceDesc><seriesStmt><idno type="ISSN">1477-7835</idno></seriesStmt></fileDesc><profileDesc><textClass></textClass><langUsage><language ident="en">en</language></langUsage></profileDesc></teiHeader><front><div type="abstract">Purpose To provide information to practitioners and researchers on how virtual networks can enhance the cooperation between organisations to help find sustainable solutions for complex environmental problems. Designmethodologyapproach Along with the derivation of a theoretical classification of virtual networks, practical examples of material flow management MFM are described. The analysis of best practice is conducted to present actual developments along with virtual forms of cooperation within the environmental community. Findings The practical success of virtual networks in the environmental sector shows the direction of the future development. By using internetbased information and communication tools, virtual networks are not limited by national borders and are able to enhance the cooperation of organisations in a global way. This means that virtual networks are essential instruments in developing complex solutions in the face of the global environmental challenge. Research limitationsimplications The case studies described are exclusively German in origin, as MFM is a recognised and widely implemented tool for sustainability in Germany. Practical implications This paper provides practical information to practitioners and researchers on successful virtual forms of cooperation within the environmental sector and clearly identifies the value in maintaining virtual networks. Originalityvalue The information, and details of case studies, outlined in this paper provide useful advice to organisations seeking information regarding the success of virtual networks within the environmental sector.</div></front></TEI><istex><corpusName>emerald</corpusName><author><json:item><name>Klaus Helling</name><affiliations><json:string>Institute for Applied Material Flow Management, Environmental Campus Birkenfeld, Trier University of Applied Sciences, Birkenfeld, Germany</json:string></affiliations></json:item><json:item><name>Markus Blim</name><affiliations><json:string>Institute for Applied Material Flow Management, Environmental Campus Birkenfeld, Trier University of Applied Sciences, Birkenfeld, Germany</json:string></affiliations></json:item><json:item><name>Bernadette O'Regan</name><affiliations><json:string>Centre for Environmental Research, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland</json:string></affiliations></json:item></author><subject><json:item><lang><json:string>eng</json:string></lang><value>Environmental management</value></json:item><json:item><lang><json:string>eng</json:string></lang><value>Virtual organizations</value></json:item><json:item><lang><json:string>eng</json:string></lang><value>International cooperation</value></json:item><json:item><lang><json:string>eng</json:string></lang><value>Sustainable development</value></json:item><json:item><lang><json:string>eng</json:string></lang><value>Germany</value></json:item></subject><language><json:string>eng</json:string></language><originalGenre><json:string>case-report</json:string></originalGenre><abstract>Purpose To provide information to practitioners and researchers on how virtual networks can enhance the cooperation between organisations to help find sustainable solutions for complex environmental problems. Designmethodologyapproach Along with the derivation of a theoretical classification of virtual networks, practical examples of material flow management MFM are described. The analysis of best practice is conducted to present actual developments along with virtual forms of cooperation within the environmental community. Findings The practical success of virtual networks in the environmental sector shows the direction of the future development. By using internetbased information and communication tools, virtual networks are not limited by national borders and are able to enhance the cooperation of organisations in a global way. This means that virtual networks are essential instruments in developing complex solutions in the face of the global environmental challenge. Research limitationsimplications The case studies described are exclusively German in origin, as MFM is a recognised and widely implemented tool for sustainability in Germany. Practical implications This paper provides practical information to practitioners and researchers on successful virtual forms of cooperation within the environmental sector and clearly identifies the value in maintaining virtual networks. 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Designmethodologyapproach Along with the derivation of a theoretical classification of virtual networks, practical examples of material flow management MFM are described. The analysis of best practice is conducted to present actual developments along with virtual forms of cooperation within the environmental community. Findings The practical success of virtual networks in the environmental sector shows the direction of the future development. By using internetbased information and communication tools, virtual networks are not limited by national borders and are able to enhance the cooperation of organisations in a global way. This means that virtual networks are essential instruments in developing complex solutions in the face of the global environmental challenge. Research limitationsimplications The case studies described are exclusively German in origin, as MFM is a recognised and widely implemented tool for sustainability in Germany. Practical implications This paper provides practical information to practitioners and researchers on successful virtual forms of cooperation within the environmental sector and clearly identifies the value in maintaining virtual networks. 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Do Not Edit! --><article dtd-version="1.0" xml:lang="en" article-type="case-report"><front><journal-meta><journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">meq</journal-id><journal-id journal-id-type="doi">10.1108/meq</journal-id><journal-title-group><journal-title>Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal</journal-title></journal-title-group><issn pub-type="ppub">1477-7835</issn><publisher><publisher-name>Emerald Group Publishing Limited</publisher-name></publisher></journal-meta><article-meta><article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.1108/14777830510601208</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="original-pdf">0830160404.pdf</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="filename">0830160404</article-id><article-categories><subj-group subj-group-type="type-of-publication"><compound-subject><compound-subject-part content-type="code">case-report</compound-subject-part><compound-subject-part content-type="label">Case study</compound-subject-part></compound-subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="subject"><compound-subject><compound-subject-part content-type="code">cat-PPEM</compound-subject-part><compound-subject-part content-type="label">Public policy & environmental management</compound-subject-part></compound-subject><subj-group><compound-subject><compound-subject-part content-type="code">cat-EISS</compound-subject-part><compound-subject-part content-type="label">Environmental issues</compound-subject-part></compound-subject><subj-group><compound-subject><compound-subject-part content-type="code">cat-EHLT</compound-subject-part><compound-subject-part content-type="label">Environmental health</compound-subject-part></compound-subject></subj-group></subj-group><subj-group><compound-subject><compound-subject-part content-type="code">cat-ENVM</compound-subject-part><compound-subject-part content-type="label">Environmental management</compound-subject-part></compound-subject></subj-group></subj-group></article-categories><title-group><article-title>An appraisal of virtual networks in the environmental sector</article-title></title-group><contrib-group><contrib contrib-type="author"><string-name><given-names>Klaus</given-names> <surname>Helling</surname></string-name><aff>Institute for Applied Material Flow Management, Environmental Campus Birkenfeld, Trier University of Applied Sciences, Birkenfeld, Germany</aff></contrib><x></x><contrib contrib-type="author"><string-name><given-names>Markus</given-names> <surname>Blim</surname></string-name><aff>Institute for Applied Material Flow Management, Environmental Campus Birkenfeld, Trier University of Applied Sciences, Birkenfeld, Germany</aff></contrib><x></x><contrib contrib-type="author"><string-name><given-names>Bernadette</given-names> <surname>O'Regan</surname></string-name><aff>Centre for Environmental Research, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland</aff></contrib></contrib-group><pub-date pub-type="ppub"><day>01</day><month>08</month><year>2005</year></pub-date><volume>16</volume><issue>4</issue><fpage>327</fpage><lpage>337</lpage><permissions><copyright-statement>© Emerald Group Publishing Limited</copyright-statement><copyright-year>2005</copyright-year><license license-type="publisher"><license-p></license-p></license></permissions><self-uri content-type="pdf" xlink:href="14777830510601208.pdf"></self-uri><abstract><sec><title content-type="abstract-heading">Purpose</title><x> – </x><p>To provide information to practitioners and researchers on how virtual networks can enhance the cooperation between organisations to help find sustainable solutions for complex environmental problems.</p></sec><sec><title content-type="abstract-heading">Design/methodology/approach</title><x> – </x><p>Along with the derivation of a theoretical classification of virtual networks, practical examples of material flow management (MFM) are described. The analysis of best practice is conducted to present actual developments along with virtual forms of cooperation within the environmental community.</p></sec><sec><title content-type="abstract-heading">Findings</title><x> – </x><p>The practical success of virtual networks in the environmental sector shows the direction of the future development. By using internet‐based information and communication tools, virtual networks are not limited by national borders and are able to enhance the cooperation of organisations in a global way. This means that virtual networks are essential instruments in developing complex solutions in the face of the global environmental challenge.</p></sec><sec><title content-type="abstract-heading">Research limitations/implications</title><x> – </x><p>The case studies described are exclusively German in origin, as MFM is a recognised and widely implemented tool for sustainability in Germany.</p></sec><sec><title content-type="abstract-heading">Practical implications</title><x> – </x><p>This paper provides practical information to practitioners and researchers on successful virtual forms of cooperation within the environmental sector and clearly identifies the value in maintaining virtual networks.</p></sec><sec><title content-type="abstract-heading">Originality/value</title><x> – </x><p>The information, and details of case studies, outlined in this paper provide useful advice to organisations seeking information regarding the success of virtual networks within the environmental sector.</p></sec></abstract><kwd-group><kwd>Environmental management</kwd><x>, </x><kwd>Virtual organizations</kwd><x>, </x><kwd>International cooperation</kwd><x>, </x><kwd>Sustainable development</kwd><x>, </x><kwd>Germany</kwd></kwd-group><custom-meta-group><custom-meta><meta-name>peer-reviewed</meta-name><meta-value>no</meta-value></custom-meta><custom-meta><meta-name>academic-content</meta-name><meta-value>yes</meta-value></custom-meta><custom-meta><meta-name>rightslink</meta-name><meta-value>included</meta-value></custom-meta></custom-meta-group></article-meta></front><body><sec><title>1 Introduction</title><p>Currently one of the most recognised global priorities is the protection and conservation of the natural environment. From an economic perspective the environment is both source and sink for all flows of goods and services produced by economic activities. Economic activity, in this context, means the combination of production factors to create goods and services, which satisfy the needs of individuals. To describe methodically the combination process of production factors, the cybernetic approach of production systems was developed (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="b10">Rieper and Witte, 2001</xref>). The natural environment delivers resource inputs to a production system and at the same time acts as the absorption medium for the output (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="b6">Helling, 1996</xref>).</p><p>The publication of the first study of the environment, published by the Club of Rome in 1973, demonstrated the absolute scarcity of natural resources as inputs to human production systems (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="b9">Meadows and Meadows, 1972</xref>). The UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro endorsed Agenda21 as a priority action program for the twenty‐first century. The central element of Agenda21 is the support for a movement towards sustainable development. Structured under different topics and actors, general requirements and methods for a more sustainable development of society were formulated (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="b1">Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit, 1997</xref>). In 1997 the limitation and reduction commitments for greenhouse gases, defined in the Kyoto‐protocol, recognised that a reduction of impacts on the natural environment is necessary. From an economic perspective, the postulation for sustainable development demands the creation of highly efficient production systems. The predominant target systems of all productive actions should incorporate economic, ecological and social requirements (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="b12">Sekretariat der Klimarahmenkonventionen mit Unterstützung des deutschen Bundesumweltministeriums, 1997</xref>).</p><p>Simultaneous with the increasing awareness in the field of environmental protection, modern information technology and the exponential growth in use of the internet provides new communication possibilities and significantly increases the speed of information exchange. The number of computers connected to the internet is shown in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="F_0830160404003">Table I</xref>.</p><p>The estimated growth possibilities for the internet are calculated on the basis of today's web sites. In 2000 the number of web sites exceeded one billion, and by 2002 this had increased to more than 2.5 billion web sites. This rapid expansion underlines the potential for internet users gaining access to information, communication and collaboration possibilities. The effect of a growing interconnection of actors on society was identified by the Club of Rome (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="b2">Cebrián, 1999</xref>).</p><p>This paper describes the interconnection between the growing awareness of the need for environmental protection and the development of information technology. The main objective of the paper is to describe how virtual, internet‐based communication systems are actually operationalised to connect actors in the environmental sector and what consequences are likely from this interconnection.</p><p>As a first step, a system to classify virtual networks in the environmental sector is developed. Generally, a network is defined as a relationship between persons, objects, or organizations (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="b8">Knoke and Kuklinski, 1982</xref>). A network is always developed to enhance the cooperation of its participants but also contains an element of potential internal conflicts (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="b4">Hakansson, 1989</xref>). The term “virtual” is used pragmatically in the sense of “net based”, “on the Internet” or “online” by the authors here (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="b11">Schulmeister, 2002</xref>). Therefore, a virtual network within the environmental sector is defined as an internet‐based interconnection of actors. From a practical point of view, a virtual network, as cooperation platform of various actors, supports the interdisciplinary solution of complex environmental problems. On the basis of selected examples of material flow management (MFM) projects, the potential of virtual networks to enhance the cooperation between actors in the environmental sector is identified and explored. Finally, the future possibilities of virtual networks in the environmental sector are described.</p></sec><sec><title>2 Classification of virtual networks in the environmental sector</title><p>Virtual networks in the environmental sector provide access to environmental data and primarily to a communication platform about specific environmental topics. Due to the heterogeneity of the environmental sector and the multiplicity of possible actors a systematic classification of networks is essential. By enlarging <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="b6">Helling's (1996)</xref> classification of environmental information systems, the following characteristics can be applied for a characterisation of virtual networks in the environmental sector:</p><sec><title>2.1 Involved actors and addresses</title><p>The involved actors, for instance companies, public authorities, universities, or users of an environmental network, can be a homogeneous or heterogeneous group. Also, the addresses of a virtual network may be the actors themselves or could be an external target group. The incentive, a network may derive of market‐driven or social‐driven aspects, has also an influence on the formation of actors and addresses (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="b7">Herde, 2003</xref>). <xref ref-type="fig" rid="F_0830160404001">Figure 1</xref> shows how the involved actors and addresses of a network can be classified considering the original incentive and covered environmental sector.</p><p>For example, the actors of an education network between different universities can be regarded as a homogeneous group; the addresses in contrast are people that are interested in the education services being offered.</p></sec><sec><title>2.2 Environmental sector covered</title><p>Along with global virtual networks which cover all environmental sectors, networks, which have environmental media specific characteristics (like waste, water/waste water, emissions), material respectively, product specific characteristics (like metal, biomass, automotive) or topic specific characteristics (climate protection, energy, recycling) are found. Furthermore, it is possible to distinguish between a vertical and horizontal orientation. Horizontal networks connect actors on the same level of a value‐added chain (for instance, waste management associations). Actors on different levels of a value‐added chain establish vertical virtual networks. A network of actors that cover all levels of a product life cycle is considered to be the ideal.</p></sec><sec><title>2.3 Geographic coverage</title><p>The internet presents no boundaries regarding the geographic coverage of a network. Despite a lack of technical barriers a number of aspects have to be considered, which affect different area boundaries of virtual networks. Apart from linguistic barriers, market and environmental reasons are important. Global, international, national and regional networks can be distinguished.</p></sec><sec><title>2.4 Objectives and tasks</title><p>Virtual networks in the environmental sector may have a range of objectives, and must be defined by the relevant actors. The exchange of information, the initiation of contacts and cooperation often play an important role. The tasks of a virtual network derive from the defined objectives. For each specific objective, relevant information, planning, documentation, monitoring and communication tasks can be prepared.</p></sec><sec><title>2.5 Applied technologies</title><p>Service capability and user‐friendliness of applied technologies are crucial for the acceptance of the virtual network by the actors and addresses. To best provide information, alternatives of differing sophistication, ranging from standard homepages, database solutions up to specially programmed information portals, find application in practice. E‐mail correspondence, internet forums, chat rooms, audio and video conferencing and groupware solutions support communication among virtual networks. Basically synchronous and asynchronous communication tools can be distinguished. Along with the internet‐based communication and information tools, conventional communication tools such as letters, brochures, telephone, etc. still retain importance.</p></sec><sec><title>2.6 Business model</title><p>A business model meets two main objectives. It defines whom and on what terms may access a virtual network and it describes how the required financial funds for perpetuation of the virtual network will be guaranteed. Concerning the access authorisation, a distinction is drawn between open and closed virtual networks. The utilisation of the network can be free of charge or chargeable and the development and the maintenance of the network can be supported with (public) funds. Also, the legal format, the way the actors are organised, can vary. This proposed system for the characterisation provides a rough framework for a multidimensional classification to describe and record virtual networks in the environmental sector.</p></sec></sec><sec><title>3 Virtual networks in the field of MFM</title><sec><title>3.1 Basics of MFM</title><p>The Enquête Commission “Protection of Humankind and Environment” of the Lower House of Germany defined MFM as a policy of the German government after the UN conference in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 as:<disp-quote><p>Targeted, responsible, integrated and efficient influence on material system whereas the target accrued from environmental and economical fields under consideration of social aspects (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="b3">Enquête‐Kommission, 1994</xref>).</p></disp-quote></p><p>MFM is the pragmatic continuation of the guiding idea of the Agenda21, to sustain the ability of future generations to meet their needs by improving protection of ecosystems (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="b1">Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit, 1997</xref>). MFM provides a goal‐oriented tool for the implantation of sustainable strategies. The intelligent management of resources, the minimisation of energy and material consumption, sustainable job creation as well as waste and product avoidance reflect only some aspects of the complex set of objectives of the holistic management approach.</p><p>The interdisciplinary approach to optimise material flows and systems on operational and regional levels implicates new cooperation models in between the actors and the appliance of innovative methods of knowledge management and communication. Due to the complexity of problems and the plurality of actors the development and application of virtual, internet‐based networks for communication and collaboration in the field of MFM is essential.</p></sec><sec><title>3.2 Examples of virtual networks in the field of MFM</title><sec><title>3.2.1 Overview of selected examples</title><p>All examples for virtual networks described in this chapter have a direct reference to the innovative MFM approach in common. Today, MFM is an established tool to implement sustainable strategies in companies, in‐between companies as well as in regions in Germany. MFM comprehends the survey, the planning as well as the implementation of environmentally sound projects. Essential characteristics of MFM related projects is the setup of cooperation platforms and networks<xref ref-type="fn" rid="fn1">[1]</xref>.</p><p><xref ref-type="fig" rid="F_0830160404004">Table II</xref> shows four examples of virtual networks, which are closely connected to the field of activity of the Institute of Applied Material Flow Management (IfaS), an institute of the University of Applied Science Trier in Birkenfeld, are introduced. The chosen examples are summarised in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="F_0830160404004">Table II</xref>, considering the developed characteristics described in Section 2. A detailed introduction of the networks is done in Sections 3.2.2‐3.2.5.</p></sec><sec><title>3.2.2 VERC – Virtual European Recycling Centre (<ext-link ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="http://www.verc.net">www.verc.net</ext-link>)</title><p>The Virtual European Recycling Centre (VERC) aims to disseminate European‐wide innovative knowledge in the field of recycling technology, and consequently to strengthen the competitive position of the European recycling economy. The setting‐up phase (since July 2002) of VERC is financed by the European Commission. In a long run the services provided by VERC should be self‐financing.</p><p>Under the leadership of the Spanish research and development institute Gaiker, 17 research and development institutions from ten European Member States work on the establishment of VERC. German project partner is the IfaS.</p><p>The recycling of residues, industrial and consumer goods requires the interaction of very different spheres of competence. Efficient MFM, the conversion of the “negative value” of a waste stream into a “positive value” of a product, requires scientific and technical as well as logistical, economic, juristic and social knowledge.</p><p>The establishment of an internet‐based communication platform for knowledge exchange will interconnect relevant actors of the field recycling:<list list-type="bullet"><list-item><label>• </label><p>market participants as supplier and fabricator of potential recyclables as well as purchaser of recycled materials and products;</p></list-item><list-item><label>• </label><p>mesearch and development, which supplies methods and processes to transform no longer useful materials into new products;</p></list-item><list-item><label>• </label><p>industry, which provides the capacity to implement the developed methods and processes; and</p></list-item><list-item><label>• </label><p>administration, which sets the juristic framework for legal certainty.</p></list-item></list>The following range of services is established:</p><list list-type="bullet"><list-item><label>• </label><p>interdisciplinary knowledge database;</p></list-item><list-item><label>• </label><p>electronic exchange for contacts, materials and consulting services;</p></list-item><list-item><label>• </label><p>discussion fora for the development of European standards and norms; and</p></list-item><list-item><label>• </label><p>educational facilities.</p></list-item></list></sec><sec><title>3.2.3 PIUS (<ext-link ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="http://www.pius-info.de">www.pius‐info.de</ext-link>) – web portal on cleaner production and pollution prevention</title><p>This project covers the establishment, continuation and support of an internet platform for the activities of actors in the field of production integrated environmental protection (cleaner production). Five partners from five German federal states established the internet forum in 1999. Since the start of 2003, the partners Sonderabfall‐Management‐Gesellschaft Rheinland‐Pfalz (SAM) and Effizienzagentur Nord‐rhein‐Westfalen EFA jointly financed the project.</p><p>The PIUS strategy is based on the theory that application of end‐of‐pipe technologies can contribute to the improvement of environmental standards in enterprises and involves additional costs in the majority of cases. Cleaner production, on the other hand, increases the competitive position of companies, causes cost reductions, more efficient use of resources and energy and contributes to optimised workflows.</p><p>By settingup the portal on the internet, a user‐friendly platform was provided free of charge, which makes updated information about practical approved measures concerning environmentally sound and cost‐saving production options available. The main target group are small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), which are interested in direct practical information about alternative operational practices. Innovation centres, trade associations, and government departments, as well as consulting agencies and research institutes are included. Also, suppliers and manufacturers, which implement PIUS‐measures, find useful information on:<list list-type="bullet"><list-item><label>• </label><p>substitution of harmful operating supplies;</p></list-item><list-item><label>• </label><p>application of more innovative and efficient processes;</p></list-item><list-item><label>• </label><p>utilisation of energy‐saving potentials, like waste heat utilisation;</p></list-item><list-item><label>• </label><p>internal circuitry of resources;</p></list-item><list-item><label>• </label><p>high‐quality recycling of inevitable residues;</p></list-item><list-item><label>• </label><p>consideration of virtual processes before and after the real production processes;</p></list-item><list-item><label>• </label><p>ecological product design (long life cycle, ease of maintenance and repair, low energy consumption, ease of recycling, etc.);</p></list-item><list-item><label>• </label><p>sale of utility instead of products (eco‐leasing); and</p></list-item><list-item><label>• </label><p>expert network in sustainable management and cleaner production.</p></list-item></list></p></sec><sec><title>3.2.4 KNUT – competence network environmental technology Rhineland‐Palatinate</title><p>The competence network environmental technology Rhineland‐Palatinate (RLP) was founded by IfaS on the initiative of the Ministry of Economics, Transportation, Agriculture and Viticulture Rhineland‐Palatinate in June 2002.</p><p>KNUT develops and offers a range of services for SMEs in the environmental technology sector from RLP. The objective is to enhance the economic development of this particular section <italic>(<ext-link ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="http://www.umwelttechnik-rlp.de">www.umwelttechnik‐rlp.de</ext-link>)</italic>.</p><p>Currently, 780 SMEs take advantage of the services offered by KNUT. However, it is not possible to exactly delineate the environmental sector as a cross‐sectional branch. Within the network, different types of companies (suppliers, manufacturers, service provider, engineers, architects) span the various types of industry (water/waste water treatment, air pollution control, waste management/recycling, etc.). This fact can be applied to the company structure in RLP. <xref ref-type="fig" rid="F_0830160404002">Figure 2</xref> shows an overview of the most important sectors<xref ref-type="fn" rid="fn2">[2]</xref> in RLP.</p><p>The existence of solution‐oriented networks of companies (branch‐clusters) for strategic cooperations in new markets could help to increase the success of many SMEs from the environmental technology sector. KNUT offers such a cooperation platform in RLP.</p><p>The strategy of KNUT is based on six major and complementary aspects:<list list-type="order"><list-item><label>1. </label><p>enhancement of the dialogue between companies within the network;</p></list-item><list-item><label>2. </label><p>marketing and public relations;</p></list-item><list-item><label>3. </label><p>supply of services in the field of training and consultation;</p></list-item><list-item><label>4. </label><p>supply of information to special branches and markets;</p></list-item><list-item><label>5. </label><p>initiation of company networks in different fields of environmental technology; and</p></list-item><list-item><label>6. </label><p>practical oriented research and development.</p></list-item></list></p></sec><sec><title>3.2.5 IncoWest (<ext-link ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="http://www.incowest.de">www.incowest.de</ext-link>) – network of environmental engineers</title><p>The Federal State RLP has approximately 900 consulting engineering companies with an average of five employees or less, which deliver engineering services to the environmental and several other sectors <italic>(<ext-link ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="http://www.ingenieurkammer-rlp.de">www.ingenieurkammer‐rlp.de</ext-link>)</italic>. A lack of staff, scarcity of capital and an often limited credit line frequently create obstacles, especially for smaller engineering offices to access international big or medium sized projects in the fields of environmental protection and infrastructure. The strategy of consolidating available resources convinced several engineers to invest in new expandable company structures. In the beginning, the partner engineers focused on an intensive exchange of experience and information, whereas the development of new national and international markets was the main objective. To enlarge the business activities of the single partner engineer, it was decided to consolidate the available technical and personnel resources and to perform corporately as IncoWest. In order to be acceptable to customers and investors it was necessary to form a legal company and a partnership under civil law was founded.</p><p>Currently, the partnership “IncoWest GbR” or “Ingenieur Kooperation West” is a network of nine engineering offices in the construction and equipment sector within RLP. In 2003, the IncoWest GbR counted 130 employees and generated consulting services amounting to more than €6 million.</p><p>The areas of expertise range from classical engineering, project and construction management up to human resource development and training, data control and quality management.</p></sec></sec></sec><sec><title>4 Conclusions</title><p>Generally, the selected examples of virtual networks illustrate, as best practice, the potential to enhance the cooperation between actors in the environmental sector. The main lessons that can be drawn from this are summarised below:<list list-type="bullet"><list-item><label>• </label><p>Virtual networks offer the opportunity to connect people and to support cooperation in different ways. Virtual networks reduce the transactions costs of actors and guarantee better access to environmental information. It can be asserted that many actors, which now do business together, would not even know each other without the help of these virtual networks (examples include KNUT and VERC). In many cases, a first contact with possible partners can result in further projects, which are jointly planned and implemented. In this context, virtual networks behave analogously to virtual enterprises. Common successful activities formed the origin of “real” enterprises, which over time evolved their own legal format necessary for the realisation of joint projects. Some of these networks are developing in this direction.</p></list-item><list-item><label>• </label><p>The future potential of virtual networks in the environmental sector is directly influenced by the technological progress of information technology. For example, if internet‐based video‐conferencing becomes a standard‐tool for virtual communication, the communication in virtual networks will be easier and more successful. In addition to internet‐based virtual communication tools, the appraisal of selected environmental networks stresses the importance of direct personal communication to support the development of thematic networks. Although the achieved findings are focussed on the environmental sector, it can be generalised that success and personal relations are still a very important factor in “virtual” business activities and projects.</p></list-item><list-item><label>• </label><p>The development of virtual networks in the environmental sector depends on financial support. A long‐term success requires a business model, which generates a self‐financed network. The virtual networks VERC, PIUS and KNUT are developing specific business models within their public financed starting phase. Only the IncoWest network, which has a completely market‐driven approach, is independent of public financial support. At European level, the establishment of virtual networks, so called thematic networks, is a main focus of European policy making. Thematic networks are the cooperation of institutions within the same scientific discipline. The objective of the cooperation is to define and develop scientific topics or affairs of common interest by different actors at the European level. The progress of information technology and improved worldwide access to the internet supports a global cross‐linking. Thus, cooperation with partners in Asia and South‐America are supported by the European Union along with exclusively European thematic networks. The programmes should enhance knowledge and capability transfer as well as the initiation of “real” projects.</p></list-item></list>The practical success of these examples of virtual networks in the environmental sector shows the direction of the future development in this field. Depending on the use of internet‐based information and communication tools, virtual networks have no national borders and are able to enhance the cooperation of actors in a global way. This means that virtual networks are an essential instrument to develop solutions in the face of the global environmental challenge.</p></sec><sec><fig position="float" id="F_0830160404001"><label><bold>Figure 1<x> </x></bold></label><caption><p>Classification of the involved actors and addressees of a virtual network</p></caption><graphic xlink:href="0830160404001.tif"></graphic></fig></sec><sec><fig position="float" id="F_0830160404002"><label><bold>Figure 2<x> </x></bold></label><caption><p>Sectors of the environmental technology branch RLP</p></caption><graphic xlink:href="0830160404002.tif"></graphic></fig></sec><sec><fig position="float" id="F_0830160404003"><label><bold>Table I<x> </x></bold></label><caption><p>Number of computers connected to the internet (1977‐1996)</p></caption><graphic xlink:href="0830160404003.tif"></graphic></fig></sec><sec><fig position="float" id="F_0830160404004"><label><bold>Table II<x> </x></bold></label><caption><p>Overview of virtual networks in the field of MFM</p></caption><graphic xlink:href="0830160404004.tif"></graphic></fig></sec></body><back><fn-group><title>Notes</title><fn id="fn1"><p>Described in detail in basics and examples of use of operational and regional MFM (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="b5">Heck and Bemmann, 2002</xref>).</p></fn><fn id="fn2"><p>The classification emanates from the fields of operational and regional MFM. 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version="3.6"><titleInfo lang="en"><title>An appraisal of virtual networks in the environmental sector</title></titleInfo><titleInfo type="alternative" lang="en" contentType="CDATA"><title>An appraisal of virtual networks in the environmental sector</title></titleInfo><name type="personal"><namePart type="given">Klaus</namePart><namePart type="family">Helling</namePart><affiliation>Institute for Applied Material Flow Management, Environmental Campus Birkenfeld, Trier University of Applied Sciences, Birkenfeld, Germany</affiliation><role><roleTerm type="text">author</roleTerm></role></name><name type="personal"><namePart type="given">Markus</namePart><namePart type="family">Blim</namePart><affiliation>Institute for Applied Material Flow Management, Environmental Campus Birkenfeld, Trier University of Applied Sciences, Birkenfeld, Germany</affiliation><role><roleTerm type="text">author</roleTerm></role></name><name type="personal"><namePart type="given">Bernadette</namePart><namePart type="family">O'Regan</namePart><affiliation>Centre for Environmental Research, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland</affiliation><role><roleTerm type="text">author</roleTerm></role></name><typeOfResource>text</typeOfResource><genre type="case-report" displayLabel="case-report"></genre><originInfo><publisher>Emerald Group Publishing Limited</publisher><dateIssued encoding="w3cdtf">2005-08-01</dateIssued><copyrightDate encoding="w3cdtf">2005</copyrightDate></originInfo><language><languageTerm type="code" authority="iso639-2b">eng</languageTerm><languageTerm type="code" authority="rfc3066">en</languageTerm></language><physicalDescription><internetMediaType>text/html</internetMediaType></physicalDescription><abstract>Purpose To provide information to practitioners and researchers on how virtual networks can enhance the cooperation between organisations to help find sustainable solutions for complex environmental problems. Designmethodologyapproach Along with the derivation of a theoretical classification of virtual networks, practical examples of material flow management MFM are described. The analysis of best practice is conducted to present actual developments along with virtual forms of cooperation within the environmental community. Findings The practical success of virtual networks in the environmental sector shows the direction of the future development. By using internetbased information and communication tools, virtual networks are not limited by national borders and are able to enhance the cooperation of organisations in a global way. This means that virtual networks are essential instruments in developing complex solutions in the face of the global environmental challenge. Research limitationsimplications The case studies described are exclusively German in origin, as MFM is a recognised and widely implemented tool for sustainability in Germany. Practical implications This paper provides practical information to practitioners and researchers on successful virtual forms of cooperation within the environmental sector and clearly identifies the value in maintaining virtual networks. Originalityvalue The information, and details of case studies, outlined in this paper provide useful advice to organisations seeking information regarding the success of virtual networks within the environmental sector.</abstract><subject><genre>keywords</genre><topic>Environmental management</topic><topic>Virtual organizations</topic><topic>International cooperation</topic><topic>Sustainable development</topic><topic>Germany</topic></subject><relatedItem type="host"><titleInfo><title>Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal</title></titleInfo><genre type="journal">journal</genre><subject><genre>Emerald Subject Group</genre><topic authority="SubjectCodesPrimary" authorityURI="cat-PPEM">Public policy & environmental management</topic><topic authority="SubjectCodesSecondary" authorityURI="cat-EISS">Environmental issues</topic><topic authority="SubjectCodesSecondary" authorityURI="cat-ENVM">Environmental management</topic><topic authority="SubjectCodesSecondary" authorityURI="cat-EHLT">Environmental health</topic></subject><identifier type="ISSN">1477-7835</identifier><identifier type="PublisherID">meq</identifier><identifier type="DOI">10.1108/meq</identifier><part><date>2005</date><detail type="volume"><caption>vol.</caption><number>16</number></detail><detail type="issue"><caption>no.</caption><number>4</number></detail><extent unit="pages"><start>327</start><end>337</end></extent></part></relatedItem><identifier type="istex">698C444713E47FE62887A9A4933DD14AA48A6FDE</identifier><identifier type="DOI">10.1108/14777830510601208</identifier><identifier type="filenameID">0830160404</identifier><identifier type="original-pdf">0830160404.pdf</identifier><identifier type="href">14777830510601208.pdf</identifier><accessCondition type="use and reproduction" contentType="copyright">© Emerald Group Publishing Limited</accessCondition><recordInfo><recordContentSource>EMERALD</recordContentSource></recordInfo></mods></metadata><serie></serie></istex></record>Pour manipuler ce document sous Unix (Dilib)
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