Title: The blue bioeconomy - the creation of a healthy fish farming business ecosystem

Authors: Tero Leppänen; Vesa Lind; Henna Longi; Harri Haapasalo; Pekka Tervonen

Addresses: Industrial Engineering and Management, University of Oulu, FI-90014, P.O. Box 4610, Oulu, Finland ' Industrial Engineering and Management, University of Oulu, FI-90014, P.O. Box 4610, Oulu, Finland ' Industrial Engineering and Management, University of Oulu, FI-90014, P.O. Box 4610, Oulu, Finland ' Industrial Engineering and Management, University of Oulu, FI-90014, P.O. Box 4610, Oulu, Finland ' Industrial Engineering and Management, University of Oulu, FI-90014, P.O. Box 4610, Oulu, Finland

Abstract: Customers' expectations for speed, reliability and convenience are growing relentlessly. Therefore, companies need to distance themselves from traditional supply chain thinking and instead consider value nets, value networks and business ecosystems composed of several companies and multiple interlinked value chains. In this study, the concept of business ecosystems and their applicability have been examined in the context of bioeconomy. The objective of this paper is to describe the creation process of a healthy bioeconomy business ecosystem which was analysed via a descriptive and participatory case study. The case bioeconomy business ecosystem was created based on value networks with a heavy emphasis placed on the principles of the circular economy. This study concludes that there are four key aspects to consider in the creation of bioeconomy business ecosystems: the significance of market pull, the importance of physical proximity, the higher relevance of strong relationships and avoiding compromises that weaken process efficiency.

Keywords: bioeconomy; business ecosystem; circular economy; ecosystem health; fish farming; industrial side stream; industrial symbiosis; value network.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2023.133823

International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2023 Vol.22 No.4, pp.425 - 442

Accepted: 19 Apr 2022
Published online: 04 Oct 2023 *

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