Determining the Causal Relationships between the Create Triggers and the Application of Industrial Symbiosis in Industrial Towns by Using Fuzzy DEMATEL Method

Regarding the fact that industrial symbiosis networks can both help the state's environment and contribute to sustainable development through considering economic and social issues. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the causal relationships between the create triggers and the application of industrial symbiosis in two industrial towns of Tabriz.

The method of research is descriptive and based on the purpose of the research, it is an applied one. The statistical sample of the study includes 256 active companies in Shahid Salimi and Shahid Rajaee industrial towns. Two questionnaires were used to collect data. The first one was designed to identify the create triggers and the application of industrial symbiosis; moreover, the second one was developed to determine the causal relationships between the triggers. Research questionnaires were given to the managers of the sample companies. A single-sample t-test and a fuzzy DEMATEL method were used to analyze data.    

Research results show that top management support and information sharing among participants are the most influential factors; besides institutional support and awareness of the concepts are considered as the factors of the most influential factors.

According to the research findings, it can be concluded that in order to create industrial coexistence in the industrial towns of the country, the first steps should be to increase the supportive management and information sharing among the industrial partners.