A sociomaterial conceptualization of flows in industrial ecology

A major starting point in industrial ecology (IE) is that reaching ecological sustainability requires understanding relations between human actions and material (tangible) flows. IE studies have enabled assessments of different technical sociotechnical configurations but only to a limited degree provided concepts support the design interventions for ecologies. We contribute by proposing sociomaterial flow approach, here applied life cycle thinking. After problematizing some common IE, key concepts, procedure, variants proposed approach are presented. The theoretically grounded related research. This body theories underpins our conceptualization how flows in, example, product can be nets within one rather than several analytical frames. interaction (SMIP) concept connection actor networks. SMIP described as interactions where humans come closest methodology provides framework exploring action networks shaping basis relational analysis governance, organization, management therefore help designing more concrete